1993 Mumbai blasts case: CBI seeks life imprisonment for Abu Salem, Riyaz Siddiqui

The court had said that it was proved that in January 1993, Salem went to Gujarat in a Maruti car to receive arms, ammunition and explosives and to transport these to Mumbai. Some of these weapons were subsequently delivered to actor Sanjay Dutt, who was acquitted under TADA Act but sentenced to five years imprisonment under the Arms Act.

Salvi told the court that Salem was a prominent member of the Dawood and Anees Ibrahim gang and had “prior knowledge” of the conspiracy to conduct blasts in the city. On Tuesday, Salvi told the court that though Salem cannot be sentenced to death, the court should record in its findings that Salem deserved death. Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, representing Salem, objected to the submission. Salvi also submitted that an aggravating circumstance against Salem is his conviction under the TADA Act in another offence of murdering city builder Pradeep Jain.

Salem’s appeal filed before the European Court of Human Rights in January 2017 is pending. The Portuguese authorities have submitted before them that they continue to approach Indian authorities to ensure the conditions of extradition are respected. Salem has alleged that India has violated the extradition treaty.

Meanwhile, the CBI sought maximum punishment for Siddiqui. The court on June 16 had convicted Siddiqui only under Section 3 (3) of the TADA Act, while acquitting him under charges including criminal conspiracy and murder.

Siddiqui’s role in the blast had been revealed in the confession of Salem, which was eventually retracted by him. The court found Siddiqui guilty of facilitating the safe transportation of the arms consignment. Siddiqui had provided a car which had built-in cavities to Salem in Bharuch in Gujarat for transporting arms. Siddiqui has maintained in his defence that he was not aware of the conspiracy. The defence advocates will begin arguing on quantum of punishment from Wednesday.