Bengaluru (Karnataka)[India]: Following the 1993 Mumbai blast case verdict in which six accused, including Abu Salem have been convicted, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said the judgment came as a ray of hope while asserting that the accused should get maximum punishment.
“After decades of trial at last some ray of hope in the Mumbai blast case can be seen. It has taken more than 25 years to convict the accused in the Mumbai blast case. Though the verdict came late but at last five of them have been convicted. I am sure Abu Salem will get the maximum punishment under the law. I expect him to stay behind the bars forever till his death,” BJP leader S. Prakash told ANI.
A special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court yesterday convicted underworld don Abu Salem and others in connection with the 1993 blasts case.
Addressing media after the court’s order, Central Bureau of Investigation (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.”
He 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”.
257 people died while 713 others were injured after a series of bomb blasts rocked Mumbai City on March 12, 1993.
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 on the charge of waging war against the nation.
The court has set the next hearing date on June 19 to decide the date for argument on quantum of sentence. (ANI)