1993 blasts trial: Judgment day 24 years after fateful blasts

Almost 24 years after 12 bombs ripped through some of Mumbai's most iconic buildings and sites, a special TADA court will pronounce the sentence against five convicts, including gangster Abu Salem, on Thursday . The March 12, 1993, serial blasts killed 257 and left over 700 injured.



The sentencing comes in a trial of seven accused. This trial was separate as most were arrested when the main trial of 123 accused had almost reached its end or had ended. The later set of arrests was made between 2003 and 2010. The first to be arrested was Mustafa Dossa, on March 20, 2003. He had been declared a proclaimed offender in December 1997. His name surfaced later as an accused.Brother of prime absconding accused Mohhamad Dossa, Mustafa was held guilty under TADA for conspiracy to cause the blasts.



The sentencing comes after extensive arguments by prosecution and defence after June 16, when the court convicted Salem, 48, Taher Merchant, 55, Feroze Khan, 47, and Karimullah Khan, 55, for criminal conspiracy, murder and terrorism. Riyaz Siddiqui, 67, was found guilty on the lesser charge for abetting and aiding terrorism. While CBI special public prosecutor Deepak Salvi sought the death sentence for Merchant, Feroze and Karimullah, he pressed for life sentences against Salem and Siddiqui.