Mumbai,Mar 12: Ten years after the serial explosions rocked the city on this day claiming 257 innocent lives and maiming over 700 persons, a special court is likely to deliver its verdict by June end with the Union government gearing up to deport prime conspirators Abu Salem and 33 others from foreign countries. While co-conspirator Ejaz Pathan was deported from Dubai recently, Abu Salem, who actively participated in the distribution of arms and ammunition to the co-accused, may be deported from Portugal soon. Salem was detained in Portugal for six months along with his wife and actress Monica Bedi in a case of illegal stay. As six months expire on March 18, police expect his return with the Government of India requesting Lisbon to extradite him.
CBI has examined 687 witnesses and recording of evidence has concluded. After going through 30,000 pages, including evidence and documents, Judge P D Kode would give the verdict. According to public prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, the judgement is likely to be delivered in June. The deportation of accused has brought about a turning point in the trial because when the absconding accused are arrested and booked in the case, statements of co-accused against them could be used against them under TADA (P) Act. But if they were caught after the trial, the absconding accused would be tried separately and statements of co-accused could not be used against them, legal sources opined.
Against this backdrop, the judge has set March 15 as deadline for CBI to produce or inform the status of absconding accused, including Dawood Ibrahim. Bureau Report