HC upholds death for two American Centre attackers

Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Friday upheld the death sentences of Aftab Ansari and Jamaluddin Naseer in the American Centre terror attack case.

While upholding the death penalty for Ansari and Naseer, the High Court also acquitted three of the accused and reduces the quantum of punishment of another two.

The court also put a stay on the execution of both Ansari and Naseer for three months so that the duo can appeal before the Supreme Court.

A trial court had sentenced seven people including Ansari and Naseer to death in the case.

Ansari had challenged the legality of the death sentence awarded by the trial court in Calcutta High Court.

Ansari and six other members of the terror organisation Asif Reza Commando Force were convicted for attacking the American Center in January 2002.

Five Kolkata Police personnel were killed in the attack.