Mukadam’s confession

MUMBAI: Asgar Ali Mukadam (45), manager of absconding accused Tiger Memon, was the first accused to be arrested in connection with the ‘93 serial blasts. He parked an RDX-laden Maruti van at Dadar’s Plaza cinema, which exploded killing 10 persons. Picked up by the police on March 14, 1993, his revelations helped retrace the conspiracy and track down the players. Excerpts from his confession given to the police as on April 23, 1993:

 

“I used to handle the hawala and the gold and silver smuggling accounts of Tiger Memon. I used to sit in his office at Dongri in Umerkhadi. In December 1992, through my friend Anwar, I learnt that Tiger also dealt in arms, ammunitions and RDX material…

 

“In February, Tiger called me one day and asked me to take two bags from his garage in Al Hussain building in Mahim and deliver it to room number 17 in the Haj Committee House at Crawford Market. I also arranged three passports, tickets and boarding cards at the behest of Tiger.

 

“I, along with Parvez, Anwar, Imtiaz and Mushtaq, carried aluminium pencil-like sticks which were wrapped in a cloth in the rear of a Maruti van. Anwar then directed them to place the pencil-like things and leave it at a particular place. Their conversation was not loud and therefore I did not hear the entire conversation.”