Convicted spy’s kin say cops planted ‘evidence’

The family members of Javed Mozawala, 30, who was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment on Monday, claimed he has been falsely implicated.

The family members of Javed Mozawala, 30, who was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment on Monday, claimed he has been falsely implicated and said they will challenge the verdict before a higher court.

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The Mazgaon resident was convicted by the city civil and sessions court under the Official Secrets Act for spying on defence installations in Maharashtra.

Mozawala fainted in the court room when the judge was about to record the argument on the quantum of sentence, after which his mother pleaded for mercy to her son.

After the verdict though, his family said they will appeal against the judgment.

“My son has been falsely implicated. He was detained for a few days before his formal arrest, and it was during this period that the police officials planted false evidence, and then booked him under such serious charges,” Mozawala's mother alleged.

His family members said the court had not considered several crucial evidences which proved Mozawala’s innocence, and would soon move the Bombay HC.

Mozawala’s advocate Wahab Khan had earlier argued there was no evidence indicating his client was passing on information to Pakistan High Commission officials.

He also pleaded his client be given minimum punishment, and not 14 years of imprisonment.

The prosecution, however, argued that the charges for which Mozawala has been found guilty are grave — passing secret information to Pakistan embassy for money — and hence the maximum punishment of 14 years should be awarded to set an example.

When the court convicted Mozawala for spying and sought his pleas before awarding the sentence, Mozawala said, while trying to control tears: “I am innocent and have done nothing. Please have mercy on me.”

When Mozawala’s mother sought leniency for his son after the court pronounced seven years of imprisonment, the court observed, “the charges against him have been proved by the prosecution. Nothing more can be done.”