Yakub Memon to die on his birthday

New Delhi/Mumbai: July 30 is a date that Yakub Memon had celebrated 53 times. This year, on the 54th time, he will be no more.

July 30, his birthday, will be be Yakub Memon’s last day as well. Being one of the main accused in the 12 serial bomb blasts that ripped through Mumbai 22 years ago, killing 257 and injuring 713, Yakub Memon has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Younger brother of absconding mastermind Tiger Memon and Ayub Memon, Yakub will  be executed at 7 am on July 30.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed the last possible window for relief by dismissing Yakub’s curative petition, which had sought reconsideration of the death sentence and imposition of life imprisonment. The President had rejected Yakub’s mercy petition in May last year.

 

How it’s done

Executions aren’t exactly a happy process, but then, there’s a certain procedure followed. Prisoners are woken up and asked to take a shower, their preference of hot or cold water being catered to.

Next, they’re served a meal of their choice and if the prison canteen doesn’t cook it, it’s ordered from outside. They’re asked to read religious books of their choice before being led away to the gallows.

The drop of death depends on weight, it seems. As per the jail manual, prisoners under 45 kg are dropped 8 feet; those between 45 kg and 60 kg are dropped 7 feet 8 inches; up to 75 kg, 7 feet; and up to 91 kg, 6 feet 6 inches.

Once medical experts present there certify the death, the home ministry is informed, which will then relay the news to the family and other people concerned.

 

The Blasts

On March 12, 1993, in a span of about two hours, between 1.33pm to 3.40pm, a series of 12 explosions hit Bombay Stock Exchange, Katha Bazar, Sena Bhavan, Century Bazar, Mahim Causeway, Air India building, Zaveri Bazar, Hotel Sea Rock, Plaza Theatre, Juhu Centaur Hotel, Airport Bay-54 and Airport Centaur Hotel.

This was the first ever terrorist attack in the world where RDX (Research Department Explosive) was used on a large scale after World War II.

(With inputs from agencies)