CBI seeks death penalty for Karimullah Khan and Tahir Merchant

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought capital punishment for the 1993 bomb blasts convicts Tahir Merchant and Karimullah Khan in a special TADA court on Friday. The prosecutor explained the roles of Merchant and Khan to the court, claiming that both had actively participated in the bomb blasts by arranging meetings in Dubai and Pakistan. They recruited as well as instigated other accused to be a part of the conspiracy.

The prosecution counsel for CBI, Deepak Salve, stated that Merchant's role in the blasts was serious and he was one of the main conspirators. Demanding the death penalty for Khan, the CBI counsel said that he was one of the prime conspirators of the bomb blasts, who had the knowledge of RDX and weapon movement.

The prosecution also asked for life imprisonment for Riaz Siddique. Salve told the court, "The accused hatched a conspiracy to take revenge for Babri Masjid's demolition. The accused used to travel between Dubai and Pakistan for arms and ammunition training where Pakistan had given them a green channel entry. Their targets were Indian politicians, high officials and Hindus."

The special TADA court on June 28 had adjourned the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case after convict Mustafa Dossa passed away.