1993 bomb blasts: Third witness identifies Riyaz Siddiqui

Mumbai, May 2 (UNI) The third witness, in the separate 1993 serial bomb blasts trial, today identifed extradited gangster Abu Salem's associate Riyaz Siddiqui in an identification parade held before the designated TADA court here.

Deposing before TADA judge P D Kode the witness, a police officer, said he had arrested Siddiqui in a criminal case in May 2003. However, he was released on bail after 90 days.

The officer, while pointing towards him, also said the accused, who is at present facing charges under the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act was the same person, whom he had arrested earlier.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Salem today moved an application in the court, seeking direction to the CBI to furnish the colour xerox copies of his confessional statement.

The court directed the CBI to file their say and adjourned the matter for next week.

CBI had recorded the statement of Salem, in which he had confessed to the crime. Also, Sanjay Dutt and other convicts had named him and his associates for the role that they had played in the blasts.

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