Shaikh, Barmare found guilty in '93 blasts case

MUMBAI: Mohammed Iqbal Yusuf Shaikh and Nasim Barmare, who drove a motorcycle to Sahar international airport on March 12, 1993, and lobbed a hand-grenade at Bay 54 were convicted by the TADA court on Monday.

Shaikh (33), a former mechanic, and Barmare (33) were found guilty of undergoing weapons training in Bhor Ghat and Sandheri areas near Raigad district, attending conspiratorial meetings, and filling RDX in vehicles.

But while Shaikh was acquitted of the charge of actually throwing the grenade, as he was riding the motorcycle, Barmare, who was riding pillion, was convicted of throwing a grenade with the intention of damaging aircraft. The bomb exploded in mid-air, leaving the aircraft untouched.

Shaikh was also convicted of parking an RDX-laden scooter at Naigaum crossroad. The scooter, parked in the bustling area near Dadar station, did not explode. Judge PD Kode accepted the confessions of both men as “true and valid” despite their retraction. Two eyewitnesses also identified the duo.

While Barmare seemed in control of his emotions, Shaikh kept rubbing his hands and touching his beard nervously. According to sources, Shaikh has been unbalanced over the last 2-3 years. He refused to eat food and did not change out of a shirt and lungi till both garments were in tatters.