Two dozen accused in 1993 blasts case still wanted

Twenty-four years have passed since the 12 March 1993, but more than two dozen suspects including notorious underworld don and US-designated global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razak Nadim Memon alias Tiger Memon are still absconding.

Most of the wanted accused are either based in Pakistan or in Gulf countries and engaged in business, especially construction. They also figure in the list of Lyon-headquartered Interpol.

In fact, as far as the Memon family is considered, a total four members are wanted – besides Tiger and they are his wife Shabana Memon, Tiger's brother Ayub Memon, his wife Reshma Memon. 

Others are Javed alias Javed Chikna Dawood Tailor, Anwar Ahmed Haji Jamal Theba, Mohammed Shafi Memon alias Jariwala, Mohammed Tainur Mohammed Hayat Phansopkar alias Samil Mujahid, Yakub Khan alias Yeda Yakub Wali Mohammed Khan, Irfan Ahmed Gulzar Chougale, Khan Bashir Ahmed Ainul Haq Khan, Mohammed Ahmed Dossa, Munaf Abdul Majid Halari, Nasir Ahamed Anwar Shaikh alias Babloo, Taher Taklya, Feroze Abdul Rashid Khan, Kamarbhai, Latif Noor Mohammed alias Latif Bhagwala, Mohammed Liyaqat Khan, Mobin, Sabhir Sayed Ismail Qadri, Shamshad, Saleem Abdul Gani Gazi, Mohammed Farooq, Taufique Siddiqui Zariwala and Sayed Arif, are still wanted.

"As far as Tiger and Memon family are concerned they were the main planners and it was done with a purpose of creating riots in Mumbai to avenge the demolition of Babrimasjid. The conspiracy was deep rooted and hence they need to be brought to justice," a senior officer involved in the probe said. "Most of them had changed their identities and leading normallife," the official said.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who represented in part II of the trial, said that the verdict is very important. "It is a strong message to the wanted accused," he said.

One jumped bail, still missing
One of the accused, Riyaz Khatri, who was a close aide of the Memons, jumped bail on 23 September 1996. A few years ago, there were reports that he was seen and detained in Nepal, however, later it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.

Half a dozen brought from other countries
Those who were brought later - by way of extradition or deportation or caught hiding in India include - Abu Salem (who was extradited from Portugal),  Tahir Taklya, Mustafa Dossa (who was reportedly deported from the United Arab Emirates), Karimullah, Feroze Abdul Rashid Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui.