1993 Bombay blasts: CBI files supplementary charge sheet against key accused

Shaikh alias Ahmed Lambu alias Khalid Kamal Shaikh, absconding since 1993 and nabbed on June 1, is in judicial custody.

The agency filed the supplementary charge sheet against him before the special TADA court.

Shaikh was also declared proclaimed offender by the Mumbai TADA court where proceedings of the blasts case were going on.

Twenty-five years ago on March 12, the serial blasts claimed 257 lives and more than 700 people were injured.

The CBI took over investigation on November 19, 1993 on the request of Maharashtra government.

A non-bailable arrest warrant was also issued against Shaikh on September 17, 1997 followed by a Red Corner Notice from the Interpol.

"The CBI investigation revealed that the said accused was an active member of criminal conspiracy concerning this case. He was in Dubai and working in close association with other prime absconding accused persons," CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said here Tuesday.

He said it was also alleged that he attended the conspiratorial meeting in Dubai which was headed by prime accused Dawood and other masterminds in January or early February 1993.

In pursuance of this meeting, on the directions of Dawood, Shaikh along with others went to Pakistan to get  training in handling of arms and ammunition, throwing hand grenades, making bombs, and using these bombs in vehicles, he said.

Shaikh, who lived in a dormitory in Mumbai, had left the country immediately after the blasts.

"He was one of the key accused in the conspiracy to smuggle explosives into India and conduct blasts at the behest of Dawood Ibrahim. Shaikh was introduced to Dawood by Mohammad Dosa (another conspirator)," an officer said.

Shaikh was also involved in the landing of RDX on the Raigad coast in Maharashtra, he said.

Dawood and Tiger Memon, two alleged masterminds of the blasts, are still absconding, while over hundred others, including gangster Abu Salem, were convicted by TADA court in Mumbai.