1993 Blasts, the year 12 blasts rocked Mumbai city shocking the entire nation. 713 were gravely injured while 257 were killed in these blasts. Today, a special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court will pronounce verdict on the seven accused. This includes Abu Salem and Mustafa Dossa.
The main trial of 123 accused ended in 2006, in which 100 were convicted. Today Justice Govind A. Sanap will try the second batch of seven accused, who, if convicted will face the gallows. The accused include Feroz Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Taher Merchant, Qayoom Shaikh and Krimulla Khan.
Deepak Salvi, the special counsel of CBI said the seven were arrested between 2003 and 2010. He said they had to be separated as they were nabbed after a major part of the previous trial was completed. This will be the last hearing of the case as there are no other accused in the case.
Thirty three chief accused have been absconding. This includes Dawood Ibrahim, his brother Anees Ibrahim, Mustafa’s brother Mohammed Dossa and Tiger Memon.
Abu Salem was extradited in 2005 November from Portugal. He confessed to his crimes and named Siddiqui and Shaikh as co conspirators. Mustafa was arrested in 2003 after he reached Delhi from Dubai after being named in 1995.
The CBI reported that these attacks were revenge for the Babri Masjid demolition on 6 December 1992. Taher and Dawood grew up together on the Kambekar Street of central Mumbai from childhood. He is also accused of smuggling arms and ammunition from Pakistan for the blasts.
The security around the court premises has been increased with restricted entry into the courtroom for the hearing on Friday.
Justice delayed is justice denied, have suffered a lot till now: Kirti Ajmera,1993 Mumbai blasts victim ahead of the verdict today pic.twitter.com/8lpkaIHHZN
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 16, 2017
