SC stays execution of death sentence of Red Fort attack convict Mohd Arif

Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay kumar

New Delhi: The Supreme Court, Monday, stayed execution of death sentence of Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Mohd Arif in the 2000 Red Fort attack case.

Mohd Arif alias Ashfaq was awarded the death sentence for waging a war against the state and killing three persons, including two Army jawans in the Red Fort on December 22, 2000. The apex court had – in August 2011 - upheld the trial court verdict (September 13, 2007), which was also affirmed by the Delhi High Court. While the High Court had upheld the verdict on Arif, it had reversed the trial court findings against six convicts including Srinagar-based father-and-son duo Nazir Ahmed Qasid and Farooq Ahmed Qasid, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and Pakistani national Ashfaq`s Indian wife Rehamana Yosuf Farooqui. Six militants had sneaked into the 17th century monument and opened indiscriminate fire on the guards of seventh battalion of Rajputana Rifles, killing three including a civilian. They fled after the army personnel stationed inside the fort opened fire.