Death row convict Yakub Memon awarded MA degree

Yakub Memon, the only convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case whose death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court recently , has been awarded a master's degree in English literature by the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Memon is currently lodged in the Central Prison in Nagpur. Seven other convicts, who are serving life-terms, were awarded IGNOU degrees on Friday.

The main convocation was held in New Delhi while a simultaneous function was held at the university's Regional Centre in Nagpur.

Memon could not attend the convocation as police authorities refused him permission to do so.

Dr Shivswaroop, regional director of IGNOU, told PTI that he would like to hand over the degree certificate to Memon personally.

Memon, a qualified chartered accountant, cleared the MA examination with second division last year.