Mumbai blast case: 24 accused still at large

Twenty-four years on, more than 24 suspects, including underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, are yet to be traced.

Most of them are either based in Pakistan or in the Gulf countries, and are engaged in businesses, especially real estate. They also figure in the Interpol list.

Four of them are from the Memon family – Tiger, his wife Shabana, brother Ayub and his wife Reshma.

“As far as Tiger and the rest of the 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 the Babri Masjid. 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 have changed their identities and are leading a normal life,” the officer said. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who represented the prosecution 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 of the accused, Riyaz Khatri, a close aide of the Memons, jumped bail on September 23, 1996. A few years ago, there were reports that he was detained in Nepal. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.

More than six accused were extradited from other countries. Those who were brought in by way of extradition or deportation include Abu Salem (from Portugal) and Mustafa Dossa (from the UAE).