Mirza Himayat Baig, the Lone Convict in German Bakery Blast Case Sentenced to Death

Mirza Himayat Baig, the lone convict in the Pune German Bakery blast case, was on 18 April 2013 sentenced to death by a Pune Sessions Court. Additional Sessions Judge N P Dhote handed down the capital punishment to Baig for murder and criminal conspiracy, besides under provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Explosive Substances Act. The court had accepted the prosecution's contention that it was a carefully planned attack to terrorise the public in general by causing extensive damage to life and property. All the accused have links to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba or home-grown terror outfit Indian Mujahideen.
 
German Bakery located in posh Koregoan Park area was a popular food joint of youngsters in the city. Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad investigated this gruesome attack. They arrested Himayat Baig and sized explosives from his residence. They also indentified other accused which includes Mohsin Choudhary, Yasin Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal and Faiyaz Kagzi. However all other accused are absconding.  Baig is the only accused in this case who has been arrested, tried and convicted for the terror attack. The blast had left 17 people dead, including five foreigners, and 64 wounded at the popular eatery on 13 February 2010.