1993 Mumbai blast case: Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, Firoz and Tahir Merchant found guilty of murder and conspiracy

A special TADA (Terrorist And Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) court on Friday found Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa and Mohammed Dossa guilty of murder and conspiracy in connection with 1993 Mumbai blast case. The court also convicted Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan, and Karimullah Sheikh under charges of conspiracy and murder under sections of IPC, TADA and Explosives Act. The court convicted Tahir Merchant in the case. 

The accused wanted to avenge the 1993 Babri demolition case. 

The court acquitted Abdul Qayyum of all charges in the case. The court ordered his release on personal bond.  Abu Salem has been acquitted of some charges of TADA for which he was framed initially. 

Special public prosecutor Deepak Salve said the court has convicted 6 people out of 7 accused. It has acquitted one person in the case. 

1993 Mumbai blasts case- Special TADA Court has convicted 6 people out of 7 accused & 1 person acquitted: Deepak Salve,Spl public prosecutor pic.twitter.com/kbIq6a5PDh

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 16, 2017

The court has set the next hearing date on June 19, to decide the date for argument on quantum of sentence.

1993 Mumbai blasts case: Court has set the next hearing date on June 19, to decide the date for argument on quantum of sentence.

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 16, 2017

On March 12, 1993, a series of 12 blasts had rocked the economic capital of India in which 257 people were killed and 713 persons were injured in the terror attack.  

Apart from Abu Salem, the other accused are Mustafa Dossa, Firoz Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Karimullah Sheikh, Mohammad Tahir Merchant alias Tahir Taklya and Abdul Qayyum.  The matter will be heard by judge GA Sanap. 

One of prime accused in the case, Yakub Menon was hanged in July 2015 in Mumbai after being convicted and awarded capital punishment in the case. 

Some other prime accused who still remain at large in the case are Dawood Ibrahim, Mohammad Dossa and Tiger Memon.

Also Read: Production warrant issued against Yasin Bhatkal in 2011 Mumbai blasts case

Gangster Abu Salem is accused of supplying weapons to actor Sanjay Dutt, who is serving a five-year-term and transporting arms and ammunition. Mustafa Dossa is facing charges of conspiracy and landing the ammunition.

Qayoom is charged with delivering the weapons to Dutt. Tahir is accused of arranging for the other convicts to travel to Pakistan.
The second trial has lasted more than six years in which the prosecution relied heavily on confessions of the 129 suspects tried earlier.

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