24 years on, Dawood, Tiger still at large

MUMBAI : Even as a special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court convicted six men, including Abu Salem and Mustafa Dossa, in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case on Friday, the key conspirators – Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and Ibrahim Mustaq Memon alias Tiger Memon – are still absconding.

Imtiaz Ghavate, arrested in Bandra around 20 years ago in connection with the blasts, was the first to name the two in the case.

According to the prosecution, Tiger Memon planned, organised and trained people to carry out the blasts.

He took help from local residents to smuggle RDX and arms into the country.

Anwar Theba, named an accused in the explosion at Centaur Hotel, too, is yet to be arrested.

Javed Dawood Tailor alias Javed Chikna is another accused, who has managed to escape.

The CBI said Javed, Memon and Theba came up with the conspiracy and provided training in handling weapons to other accused at Sandheri and Borghat.

“Other than requesting Pakistan, we have done nothing else. I don’t see any hope. The government of India, irrespective of the party in power, has done nothing in concrete terms,” said former Mumbai police commissioner MN Singh.

“The four accused – Dawood Ibrahim, Mohammed Dossa, Tiger Memon, Anees Ibrahim – are yet to be arrested. The victims won’t get justice unless they are brought to book,” said Singh.

Munaf Halari, who allegedly bought scooters for the blast, is yet to be found.

Mohammed Tainur Phansopkar, who allegedly planted the bomb at the Bombay Stock Exchange, remains absconding.

G Parthasarthy, former ambassador of India to Pakistan, said, “We need to reform our investigative and judicial system. If we know where they [the absconding accused] live, it is time we learnt a few things from Israel on how to deal with it.”