Two approvers in 93' Mumbai serial blasts case discharged

Mumbai, Aug 2 (UNI) The TADA Court today discharged the two accused-turned approvers in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, for supporting the prosecution.

The duo were earlier released on bail in October 1996, after they agreed to co-operate with the prosecution and bear testimony against the other perpetrators of perhaps one of India's biggest terror attacks.

Judge P D Kode pronounced their discharge today, which can be officially considered as the last day of the process of pronouncing judgement in the historic trial.

Attired in a white kurta pyjama, the duo presented themselves before the trial Court amid heavy police protection. The Judge also issued a direction to mediapersons restraining them from disclosing the identification and address of the two discharged approvers.

The middle-aged prosecution witnesses were given only serial numbers for identification, as approver number one and approver number two.

Notably, approver number two had played a vital role in the prosecution's case and based on his deposition, the state could manage to secure maximum convictions. A majority of the 100 convicts met their nemesis through this approver. Many of them were even handed the death penalty.

As per the evidence before the Court, approver number two had attended conspiratorial meetings with prime absconding accused and master-mind Tiger Menon in Mumbai and Dubai, visited Pakistan for receiving training in arms and ammunation, helped in filling the deadly RDX in vehicles and planted bombs at various places. He had also planted the bomb at a petrol pump near Sena Bhavan which resulted in the death of four people and left 20 others injured. He was involved in the entire conspiracy and execution of the black Friday blasts, right from the very beginning.

On the other hand, approver number one was only involved in attending the conspiratorial meetings and making travel arrangements for one convict, Farooq Motorwala and going to Pakistan for arms related training.

Both were earlier lodged in Thane jail in April 1993 following their arrest. They turned approvers and managed to secure bail in October 1996. They have been out of jail since.

According to legal experts, the crime in which they were involved easily attracted the death penalty, but since they became approvers, they were discharged.

UNI