1993 Mumbai serial blasts: Prosecution seeks maximum sentence to convicts
Salem was accused of transporting weapons from Gujarat to Mumbai.
The prosecution has commenced arguments on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to the convicts in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. The TADA court which had convicted extradited gangster, Abu Salem and others in the case began hearing on the quantum of sentence on Monday.
The prosecution while detailing the gravity of the crime said that 273 people had lost their lives while 713 were injured. The prosecution said that the maximum punishment must be awarded to the convicts.
Last week the court had convicted extradited gangster, Abu Salem for conspiracy in the Mumbai 1993 blasts case. The court has also held Mustaffa Dossa and three others guilty of conspiracy charges in the blasts case. The court however acquitted Abdul Qayyum of all charges.
The court held Salem guilty of conspiracy and terrorism. The court said that no mercy should be shown to terrorists. The quantum of sentence would be decided on another date. The court fixed June 19 as the date to hear arguments on the quantum of sentence.
Justice (retd) P C Khode delivered the verdict in the in the second leg of the trial in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case involving seven accused, including extradited gangster Abu Salem. The court also convicted Firoz Khan, Karimullah Shaikh, Riaz Siddiqui and Tahir Merchant for conspiracy and murder charges.
The blasts left 257 people dead, 713 seriously injured and destroyed properties worth Rs 27 crore. In the first leg of the trial that concluded in 2007, the TADA court convicted 100 accused, while 23 people were acquitted.
The trial of the seven accused -- Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, Karimullah Khan, Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Tahir Merchant and Abdul Quayyum -- were separated from the main case as they were arrested at the time of conclusion of the main trial.
Salem was accused of transporting weapons from Gujarat to Mumbai.
He also handed over to actor Sanjay Dutt, who was an accused in the case for illegally possessing weapons, AK 56 rifles, 250 bullets and some hand grenades at his residence on January 16, 1993. Two days later on January 18, 1993, Salem and two others went to Dutt's house and got back two rifles and some rounds.
The role the 7 played:
Mustafa Dossa
Arrested:
March
20,
2003
Charges:
He
has
been
charged
with
arranging
landing
of
arms,
ammunition
and
explosives
at
Dighi
in
Raigad
district
and
participating
in
the
blast
conspiracy
Abu Salem Ansari
Arrested:
August
2,
2005
Charges:
Supplying
arms,
ammunition
and
hand
grenades
Riyaz Ahmed Siddique
Arrested:
August
2,
2005
Charges:
Transporting
explosives
in
a
van,
which
were
later
used
in
the
blasts
Abdul Qayyum Shaikh
Arrested:
February
13,
2007
CHARGES:
Charged
with
accompanying
Abu
Salem
to
Sanjay
Dutt's
house
to
deliver
arms
and
ammunition
Firoz Khan
Arrested:
February
5,
2010
Charges:
Arranging
transportation
and
distribution
of
arms,
ammunition
and
explosives.
Mohammad Tahir Merchant Alias Tahir Taklya
Arrested:
June
8,
2010
Charges:
Making
arrangements
to
send
other
convicts
to
Pakistan
for
training
Karimullah Shaikh
Arrested:
August
21,
2008
Charges:
Smuggling
arms
into
the
country
through
the
Shekhadi
coast
of
Raigad
district.
OneIndia News