1993 Mumbai blasts case: Why death penalty for Tahir Merchant?

Gangster Abu Salem and another convict Karimullah Khan were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court fined both Abu Salem and Karimullah Rs 2 lakh.

A special TADA court on Thursday awarded death sentence to Tahir Merchant and Feroz Khan in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

Gangster Abu Salem and another convict Karimullah Khan were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court fined both Abu Salem and Karimullah Rs 2 lakh.

Why Tahir Merchant awarded death sentence?

After the announcement of quantum of punishment, Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, said " Tahir Merchant, who was handed death penalty, "ensured Indian youths were given arms and ammunition training in Pakistan and safely sent back to Mumbai".

"He also managed to bribe the police and custom officials. After the blast, he carried out the destruction of the arms and ammunition which weren't used in the blast," said Nikam.

When TADA court convicted Merchant in June 2017, it had its own observations.

Merchant was amongst the main conspirators. He worked close with Tiger Memon. It is proved that he was upset with the (post-Babri demolition) riots in Mumbai. He made arrangements, financed and arranged for arms training for other accused.

He also attended many meetings organised by Tiger Memon in Dubai. It was in these meetings, that the men decided to take revenge for the Mumbai and Surat riots that took place in the wake of the Babri demolition, according to Indiatoday reports.

OneIndia News