Charges proved against accused over 1993 blasts: Prosecution

The prosecution on Monday concluded its final arguments in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case, claiming it had proved beyond reasonable doubt not only all charges against all seven accused but also that they had waged war against the nation, for which the court should convict them even though such a charge was not framed against them. The seven facing trial include extradited gangsters Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, Karimullah Khan, Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Tahir Merchant and Abdul Quayyum.

After special public prosecutor Deepak Salve concluded his arguments, special Tada judge G.A. Sanap adjourned hearing till Tuesday and asked the defence to start its arguments. Although the court fixed Tuesday for hearing the defence’s arguments, a lawyer from the office of advocate Rizwan Merchant (who is appearing for Dossa) informed the court that Mr Merchant’s office had been broken into with three laptops and a few mobile phones having been stolen. The lawyer said an FIR had been lodged but the laptops that were stolen contained important notes prepared by the defence in connection with the case.

The trial of the seven was separated from that of over 100 accused because the seven were arrested while the trial of the others was nearing conclusion.