Mumbai, Nov 02: In keeping with a judicial directive, 86 accused in the 1993 bomb blast case, including film actor Sanjay Dutt, would appear before a special court tomorrow even as CBI eagerly awaits deportation of Abu Salem who allegedly played a major role in distributing arms at the instance of key conspirator Dawood Ibrahim. Designated Judge P D Kode had allowed the accused on bail to travel in Maharashtra during Diwali to meet relatives but directed them to appear without fail on November 3.

Some of them were also allowed to leave the state limits to visit their native place. On a plea made by defence lawyer Farhana Shah, Sanjay was allowed to go to Ooty for film shooting.

Thirty-six other accused lodged in central prison would also be produced before the court tomorrow. Meanwhile, CBI awaits deportation of Abu Salem who helped Dawood Ibrahim in distributing arms to accused. Salem is in custody of Portugal police on charges of illegal stay there.

Sanjay is facing the charge of possessing an AK-56 rifle and destroying the weapon. CBI has alleged that Abu Salem had gone to Sanjay's residence along with other accused to deliver the weapon. Sanjay denied the charges and witnesses also did not support the prosecution's case.

CBI examined 686 witnesses and the evidence has crossed 13,000 pages. The accused are charged with carrying out serial blasts on March 12, 1993 which killed 257 people and injured 713 besides damaging property worth Rs 27 crore. Bureau Report