SC of India stays Death sentence for American centre attacker

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday stayed the death sentence awarded to underworld don Aftab Ahmed Ansari for the attack on the American Centre in Kolkata in 2002.

A vacation bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and C K Prasad asked the West Bengal government to respond within four months to a petition filed by Ansari challenging his conviction and death sentence in the case.

The Calcutta High Court in February this year upheld the death sentence given by a lower court to Md. Jamiluddin Nasir and the main accused, Aftab Ansari.

Six policemen were killed and 14 injured in the attack, masterminded by Ansari, stated to be a Dubai-based don.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the death sentence of Jamiluddin Nasir, who was convicted for the 2002 American Centre bomb blast in Kolkata.