The Mazgaon metropolitan magistrate's court convicted Azmi and four others under section 153 (a) and 153 (b) of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced them to two years imprisonment. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 11000 on each of the accused.
The court has, however, suspended the sentence handed over to the accused so as to allow them to approach the sessions court challenging the conviction.
The case dates back to year 2000 when Azmi had allegedly given a provocative speech at Nagpada in south Mumbai against Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and Congress leader Narayan Rane.