1993 Mumbai Blasts Case Verdict: Abu Salem Convicted

Twenty-four years after a series of blasts rocked the country’s financial capital, a special court today (16 June) convicted underworld don Abu Salem along with five others.

A special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court convicted Salem under charges of conspiracy and terror activities in connection with the 1993 blasts, which had claimed 257 lives and injured over 700. The court also convicted Mustafa Dossa, Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan, Tahir Merchant, Karimullah Sheikh and Riyaz Siddiqui, but acquitted accused Abdul Qayyum of all charges and ordered his release on personal bond.

While Siddiqui was convicted under TADA and other charges but spared of conspiracy charges, Dossa was found guilty of conspiracy, murder and terror activities. Accused Khan was convicted under charges of conspiracy and murder under sections of IPC, TADA and Explosives Act.

Salem is currently serving life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Mumbai builder Pradeep Jain and is lodged at the Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai.

The hearing for the quantum of punishment will take place from 19 June.