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After spending more that 20 years in prison, Yakub Memon was hanged early on Thursday morning for his role the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Here’s what happened at the Nagpur Central jail in the last rather tense 24 hours
Life came a full circle for 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon, who was hanged on his birthday, July 30, a little before 7 am.
His family, who was hoping for some good news, as the lawyers made a last-ditch plea to save Yakub, sent a birthday cake to the Nagpur Central Jail. The cake was given to the jail superintendent around midnight.
His brother Suleiman and cousin Usman were camping in Nagpur since Wednesday. The Memons were keeping their fingers crossed, as the Supreme Court opened for the first time at 3 am for an unprecedented hearing on the petition to stop the convict’s hanging.
Yakub's emotional goodbye to big brother
Yakub’s brother Suleiman, who was acquitted in the case, visited the Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday, as hopes faded for the family.
Yakub was in tears, as he met his sibling for the last time, according to prison officials.
He also bid farewell to fellow inmates.
Before, he was hanged he took a bath and read the Quran.
'Only a miracle can save me'
“I know I am going to die. Only a miracle can save me,” Yakub told a guard at the Nagpur jail on Wednesday, according to MiD DAY. “My hanging has been politicised,” he reportedly said.
Memon did not allow any medical check-up by jail doctors, as is the rule for death row convicts, reports NDTV. "I am fit, no need for a check-up," he said.
Yakub's return to Mahim
Yakub's brother Suleiman and cousin Usman received his body on Thursday morning, which was taken to airport and flown to Mumbai. The two boarded the same flight.
Suleiman had moved an application on Wednesday evening to the Nagpur jail authorities requesting that the body be handed over to the family.
The request was accepted and accordingly, the body was wrapped in 'kafan' (shroud) and placed in a tightly sealed coffin box.
The Mumbai police has not allowed Yakub's family to carry the body in a procession and has made arrangements to perform the burial at a cemetery in Marine Lines, where heavy police force has been deployed.