BOMBAY, 6 October 2006 — The Special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) court yesterday convicted two persons and acquitted the other in the 1993 serial bombings in Bombay as the prosecution failed to prove charges against him.
Designated Judge P.D. Kode of the TADA court presiding in the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts, in which 123 accused are involved, accepted the confessions of the convicted Nasir Abdul Kadar, alias Nasir Dhakla, and Mohammed Rafiq Usman Shaikh on the charges of undergoing arms training in Pakistan and attending conspiracy meetings.
Kode also held Nasir guilty of participating in the landing and transportation of arms and explosives in Raigad district prior to the blasts, but was acquitted of the charges of loading arms and explosives in vehicles and planting them at various places in Bombay.
The judge acquitted Mohammed Ahmed Mansoor of the charges of facilitating terrorist acts and making arrangements for the training of the accused in arms and explosives in Pakistan.
The judge further stated that the prosecution could not prove that Nasir had received other bomb blasts accused at Dubai and sent them to Pakistan for training.
With two more accused convicted yesterday, the total number of convictions in the case rose to 28, news reports said.
Authorities said the 1993 carnage was masterminded by mob boss Dawood Ibrahim and his henchmen Tiger Memon and Mohammed Dossa, who have eluded capture. The three prime suspects face charges ranging from waging war against the country to conspiracy to commit terrorist acts.
The judge so far has not pronounced any sentences, which could range from five years to life imprisonment or the death penalty, public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.
