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Abu Salem, 5 others convicted for '93 blasts

Of the six, five face the capital penalty while one could attract life imprisonment; Qayoom Shaikh acquitted

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1993 Mumbai blasts case accused Abu Salem being produced at the Special TADA Court in Mumbai on Friday
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The 24-year-old Mumbai serial blasts case of 1993 reached partial closure on Friday when six of seven accused were found guilty on various counts, while one was acquiited of all charges.

They were convicted by a special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court at Kala Ghoda, presided over by Judge Govind Sanap. Of the six, five face the capital penalty, while one could attract life imprisonment. The court is yet to decide on the quantum of punishment to be awarded.

The court held that it has passed the verdict on the basis of oral and documentary evidence and the facts recorded by it.

Of the six convicts, five were charged with the serious offence of conspiracy, along with the stringent TADA charges. "When the accused are held guilty of charges of conspiracy, it is not necessary to prove that the accused agreed for the same. The very fact that they were aware of the plan, makes the accused guilty of the charges," Judge Sanap ruled.

The court, while describing the charges under which the accused were held guilty, also explained the roles of each of those charged.

While speaking about Mustafa Dossa, the court held that after the demolition of Babri Masjid, a 'conspiracy meeting' was planned and was attended by him, the accused in custody and those absconding in his Dubai house.

This meeting gave birth to the original conspiracy against the government. Dossa was the member of the core group of the meeting. He managed to send arms and ammunition, RDX and explosives to India through waterways and was also active in organising terror training for the aspirants in Pakistan.

With regard to another accused Firoz Khan, the court said, he was a member of the Dossa gang and was a part of the meeting. He helped Dossa in transporting explosives safely to Shekhadi, Raigad and later stored them.

"Taher Merchant, Tiger Memon and other absconding accused walked together and had an active role in the conspiracy to trigger blasts in Mumbai. He made arrangement to get the tickets and visas for people who were about to be part of the training for blasts. He also made arrangement for the accused to pass the green channel entry in Pakistan, when they were sent there for training. While describing the role of Karimullah, the court said, he was very close to the absconding accused Ejaz Pathan. The court held that Khan had strong feelings about the Babri Masjid demolition and wanted to retaliate and spread terror in the financial capital of the country."

The court while passing its verdict against Abu Salem held that he would not be held guilty for offences which were withdrawn by the CBI, as the treaty signed between India and Portugal did not allow the court to punish the accused with death. "He was involved in distributing the arms, when there was a situation of riots in Beherampada. Further, he was active in going to the go-downs and storing arms and ammunition. Also he was instrumental in landing the explosives, which were brought to India to terrorise the government and innocent citizen," held the court.

However, the court acquitted Riyaz of the charges of conspiracy, while holding him guilty of TADA charges. The court he he knowingly drove a vehicle loaded with arms on the instructions of Salem.

After the court verdict, when DNA spoke to CBI counsel Deepak Salvi to seek his response to the judgment, he said "it was a brilliant one" and that the prosecution would now concentrate on the arguments of seeking maximum punishment to the accused."

The key conspirators

Mustafa Dossa
Mustafa Ahmed Umar Dossa alias Mustafa Majnu was convicted on charges of conspiracy and murder under various sections of the IPC besides offences under the TADA Act, the Arms Act and the Explosives Act

Abu Salem
Abu Salem, who was extradited from Portugal, was found guilty of transporting weapons from Gujarat to Mumbai ahead of the blasts. He had also handed over to actor Sanjay Dutt AK 56 rifles, 250 rounds and some hand grenades at his residence

 

Qayoom Karim Shaikh 
Shaikh was the only acquittal. No evidence to prove his involvement in the case. Riyaz Ahmed Siddique was acquitted of conspiracy charges. He was convicted of TADA charges, as he exchanged vehicle with Abu Salem

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