While commuting the death sentences of 10 accused in the 1993 Bombay blasts case to life imprisonment yesterday, the Supreme Court observed that but for the blasts’ masterminds, the plan would never have seen the light of day. “If we do lift the veil, it is actually the masterminds’ strategy, which was executed by subservient minions,” the bench observed. The masterminds are Tiger Memon and Dawood Ibrahim, described in the judgment as “absconding accused”.

“All 10 appellants belong to lower strata of society, most of whom don’t even have any regular job for their livelihood. Their personal lives were relatively moderate before this incident. These appellants have fallen prey to the ulterior motive of the conspirators for accomplishing their hidden motives, to spread terror among people.”