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Prosecutors Ask for Death Penalty for 44 in 1993 Mumbai Bombings


Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for suspects convicted in deadly bombings that struck Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, in 1993.

The prosecution has asked the judge of the special court to give the death penalty to 44 people convicted of planting bombs in Mumbai's business district. Prosecutors also want the death penalty for those convicted of conspiracy in the case.

Prosecution lawyers asked the judge to approve life sentences for 45 additional people convicted of aiding the attacks that killed 257 people.

In all, 100 people have been convicted in the longest running trial in India's history. The trial began in 1994 and concluded in December.

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt was found guilty of possessing arms supplied by men who carried out the bombings.

Prosecutors asked that the movie actor and eight others convicted of violating arms and customs laws be given the maximum penalty of ten years in prison.

The alleged leaders of the plot, Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, are still at large.

Indian authorities say the bombings were acts of revenge for religious riots that killed hundreds of Muslims and destroyed a 16th century mosque in the city of Ayodhya in 1992.

Indian authorities accuse Pakistan of aiding the bombing conspirators, but Pakistan denies the allegations.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.

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