The special TADA court today held three more accused guilty for complicity in 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case, taking the total number of those convicted to 61.

Ashraf-Ur-Rehman, Moh-d Yusuf Botomiyan and Shaikh Asif Yusuf were held guilty under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act. However, the three were acquitted of the charge of conspiracy.

Ashraf-Ur-Rehman, cha-rged with possessing 85 hand grenades, 350 electronic detonators and 3,270 live cartridges of AK 56, was found guilty under Section 5 (possessing arms), and Section 6 (contravening provisions of Explosive Substances Act and Explosives Act) of TADA(P) Act. He was also found guilty under Section 3, 7, and 25(1-a)(1-b) of Arms Act.

The court did not accept his confession saying it was not properly recorded. Of the three witnesses, one turned hostile and his evidence was not accepted. The court did not hold him guilty of being party to conspiracy saying there was no evidence to establish link between material recovered from him and the consignment smuggled by Tiger Memon to create terrorist act.

Mohd Botomiyan was found guilty under Section 3(3) (aiding and abetting a terrorist act) and Section 5 of TADA(P) Act for possessing 980 cartridges and 32 magazines of AK-56, as well as under provisions of Arms Act. However, he was acquitted of charges of being party to conspiracy. Shaikh Yusuf was found guilty under Section 3(3) of TADA(P) Act for aiding and abetting terrorist act. He was also held guilty under Section 5 of TADA(P) for possessing four hand grenades and under Section(b) 6 of the same Act (contravening provisions of Explosive Substances Act and Explosives Act). He was also convicted under Arms Act.

... contd.