Judgment day for 1993 Mumbai blast accused

Abu Salem and the six others accused in the 1993 Mumbai bombings, killing nearly 250 people and injuring several hundreds more, face judgment from a Special Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court today. They face several charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Terrorism and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA), the Indian Explosives Act and Explosive Substances Act.

The 1993 bombings were retaliation to the Babri Masjid demolition, following which communal riots erupted across the country, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 

Sanjay Dutt was earlier sentenced to a five-year jail term in the same case for possession of arms used in the blasts and was granted an early release for good conduct. The situation can soon be reversed for the actor as a Bombay High Court has questioned the Maharashtra government’s decision to release him early.