Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday said that the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed more than 200 people, were carried out to avenge the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.
Talking to media after a special court’s verdict on Friday which convicted underworld don Abu Salem and others for the blasts, CBI counsel Deepak Salve said “Mustafa Dossa conducted a conspiracy meeting in Dubai which was attended by Dawood Ibrahim and others. They hatched a conspiracy of Mumbai blast to take revenge of Babri Masjid demolition.”
Salve further added that “the accused used to travel between Dubai and Pakistan for arms and ammunition training where Pakistan had given them green channel entry. Their targets were Indian politicians, high officials and Hindus.”
A special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court on Friday convicted all the six accused for a series of bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai in on March 12, 1993 leaving 257 people dead and 713 others injured.
The court has set the next hearing date on June 19 to decide the date for argument on quantum of sentence.
Abu Salem was convicted under charges of conspiracy and terror activities but was acquitted of some charges of TADA which he was framed initially.
Accused Riyaz Siddique also convicted under TADA and other charges, but court believed prosecution failed to prove conspiracy charges against Riyaz.
Accused Mustafa Dossa was found guilty of conspiracy, murder and terror activities in the case.
Accused Firoz khan was convicted under charges of conspiracy and murder under sections of IPC, TADA and Explosives Act.
Other accused Tahir Merchant, Karimullah Shaikh were also convicted. Accused Abdul Qayyum was acquitted of all charges in the case. Court ordered his release on personal bond.
However, all accused were acquitted for the charge of waging war against the nation.
ANI