A special Prevention of Terrorism Act court on Tuesday convicted 10 persons in the Mumbai triple blasts case under various sections of the POTA, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Railways Act. Among those convicted was Saquib Nachan, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the 2002-2003 Mumbai blasts. However, Special Judge PR Deshmukh acquitted three others – Nadeem Paloba, Harun Lohar and Adnan Mulla – in the case. The quantum of sentence will be announced on Wednesday, ANI reported.

In 2002-2003, three explosions rocked Mumbai within a span of a little more than three months, killing 12 and severely injuring 27 others. The first explosion occurred on December 6, 2002, at a McDonald’s outlet in the main building premises of Mumbai Central railway station. The second took place on January 27, 2003, in a crowded market in Vile Parle (East). The third blast was in a packed Karjat-bound local train at Mulund railway station on March 13, 2003.

In their chargesheet, the Mumbai Police alleged that members of the Students Islamic Movement of India, led by Nachan, were behind the attacks. They had reportedly planned to avenge the demolition of the Babri Masjid and atrocities committed against Muslims.