New Delhi - An Indian court on Monday found three people, including a husband and wife, guilty of carrying out twin blasts in 2003 in the country's financial hub of Mumbai, which claimed 54 lives.

A special court in Mumbai convicted Mohammad Haneef Sayyed, 46; his wife Fahmeeda, 43; and their 32-year old associate Ashrat Shafique Ansari of murder and conspiracy under provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Their sentencing was scheduled for August 4.

The three Indian nationals were charged with causing the car bombings near the Gateway of India and the Zaveri Bazar jewellery market on August 25, 2003, which injured more than 240 people.

The prosecution said the blasts were planned in Dubai by Pakistani nationals at the behest of the Islamic militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

"Today's verdict has dealt a fatal blow to the LeT," public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

"This is the first time in India that a couple were involved in a terrorist attack," he told reporters outside the court. "Even their daughter was involved in the conspiracy but was not tried by the court since she was a minor."

Police said the bombings were in retaliation for the Hindu-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat, in which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.

Two other accused, Mohammed Ansari and Mohammed Hasan, had been discharged after a review by the special court last year.

The defendants found guilty Monday, who have been in custody for the past six years, now face the prospect of being sent to the gallows.

"It is clear that the three face either life imprisonment or death by hanging," Nikam said. "We shall seek the most stringent punishment in the case."

Abdul Wahab, the lawyer for the accused, said they would appeal.

The prosecution examined 103 witnesses to build the case against the accused, Nikam said. A key prosecution witness was the taxi driver whose vehicle was used to plant the bomb at the Gateway of India monument.

Mumbai has come under terrorist attack several times in past years.

Indian security officials said the Pakistan-based LeT has been behind most of the deadly attacks in Mumbai, including the July 2006 bombings on its train network, which killed 186 people.

More than 160 people, including 26 foreign nationals, were killed by 10 LeT militants in a three-day, gun-and-bomb attack in the city in November. (dpa)