Blasts verdict postponed to Sept 12

Mumbai: The designated TADA court on Thursday adjourned a verdict in the 1993 serial bomb blasts trial till September 12.

However, the proceedings of the long-drawn process was commenced by Justice P C Khode and the judge merely used the day to mark the attendance of all the accused.

Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, in his briefing to the media, said that though the proceedings leading up to the verdict had commenced, the final verdict will only be announced on the new date.

He clarified that the delivery session has begun but being a long judgement, it would take time to unfold the entire verdict.

Nikam said the delay had occured since underworld don - also one of the prime accused in the case - Abu Salem's writ petition was pending in the High Court.

Salem had moved court to have his trial clubbed with the 123 people currently in the dock.

Defence counsel Majid Memon said that a judgement soon should not be expected soom in a case of such magnitude as the case is bound to go into appeals process in higher courts.

Memon also denied that he was responsible for the delay.

"Court asked me and I told them that it was our duty to extend as much help as possible. Now, it's the court that has decided that the verict will be out on September 12," he said.

Earlier in the day, all the 123 accused, including Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, arrived in the court.

Dressed in a casual blue shirt and jeans, Sanjay Dutt, who spent almost two years in jail in the case, seemed calm as he arrived at the court.

The security in and around the court had been tightened since Wednesday and police had imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in and around the court premises banning the assembly of five or more persons.

A large group of people, including the accused and victims had gathered outside the TADA court.

A number of media persons from national and foreign media were present outside the narrow lane leading to the court premises.

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