SC blasts customs, cops who 'actively' aided attack

The “active role” played by a few policemen and custom officials in helping the accused in carrying out 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai came under sharp attack of the Supreme Court.

A bench of Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan pointed out had the convicted sub Inspector of police, seven constables at two police stations and other customs officials including commissioner of customs not participated in the conspiracy and implemented the plan, the serial blasts could have been avoided. “Law empowers them (policemen) with numerous powers to prevent and control crimes like terrorism affecting internal security. They should always remember that when they fail in their duty they eventually fail the society as a whole,” the court said.

In its verdict dealing with the appeals in the case, the court said, it is shattering to notice that all grades of customs officers, including the Commissioners of Customs played an active role. “Every kind of smuggling activity is devastating to the economy, but the smuggling of dangerous arms and ammunitions causes wreckage not only to the economy but also to people’s lives,” the bench said.

“Unfortunately, in the present case the police officers themselves have taken active part in smuggling and transportation of arms and explosives in Bombay. The twin duties of police are prevention of crime and maintenance of law and order. If crimes are prevented in time,the human rights of the people will be protected to a large extent. If the Bombay police officials had been able to curtail the conveyance of the contraband in January and February 1993, the occurrence of 12th March 1993 could have been avoided,” the bench added.