Mumbai 1993: Two more held guilty, one acquitted

The special TADA court trying the 1993 serial blasts case today convicted two aides of Tiger Memon, Nasir Abdul Kadar alias Dhaklya...

The special TADA court trying the 1993 serial blasts case today convicted two aides of Tiger Memon, Nasir Abdul Kadar alias Dhaklya and Mohammed Rafiq Sheikh, on the charge of conspiracy. However, accused No 132 Ahmed Mansoor was given the benefit of doubt and acquitted.

Charges against Nasir included receiving training in arms, ammunition and explosives in Pakistan, helping in the landing operation of contraband at Shekhadi village in Raigad district and attending a meeting at the residence of co-accused Nazir Shaikh and Mubina Baya, where the detailed plans of the serial blasts were chalked out. He also participated in the loading of vehicles with RDX, which were later used as car bombs.

8220;There were eyewitnesses who have identified you during the landing operations. Your involvement in the conspiracy has been found up to a particular day March 11, 1993,8221; announced Judge Kode, while pronouncing him guilty. Nasir has been in custody for 11 years, since his arrest in 1995.

Mohammed Rafiq Shaikh, accused Number 94, was charged with conspiracy, receiving arms training in Pakistan and attending the planning session of the blasts along with Nasir. Shaikh, who had been out on bail, wore a nervous look as Judge Kode read out his sentence. 8220;On both counts, your confession recorded by DCP K L Bishnoi has been accepted. Confessions of other co-accused have also been accepted. You have been found guilty on all counts,8221; said Judge Kode.

Ahmed Mansoor had been accused of receiving other accused, Salim Khan, Hanif Shaikh, Usman Maan Shaikh, Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh and Mohammed Sayyed Issak in Dubai and making arrangements for their training in Pakistan at the insistence of absconding accused Anees Ibrahim. He has also been accused of financing their stay in Dubai and their return journey to Mumbai.

8220;Confessions of the four accused have been accepted. They reveal that a man named Ahmed received them in Dubai. But the identity of the accused could not be established. He has been found not guilty,8221; said Judge Kode.

Incidentally, this is the third time that Mansoor has been acquitted in a case. He had earlier been acquitted in the infamous JJ shootout case of 1992 and a related TADA case in New Delhi.