Memon aide wanted for 1993 blasts deported from UAE,arrested

An alleged Tiger Memon aide wanted in connection with the 1993 serial blasts was arrested today after being deported from Abu Dhabi.

An alleged Tiger Memon aide wanted in connection with the 1993 serial blasts was arrested today after being deported from Abu Dhabi. Mohammad Tahir Merchant alias Tahir Taklya,absconding accused no 17,was remanded in CBI custody till June 14 by a special TADA court,said Mumbai CBI SP Anand Kumar Somani.

The court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Merchant in October 1993. Merchant received several accused from India in Dubai. He arranged for them to travel to Pakistan for arms training. Merchant arranged all forged passports. He is a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, Somani said.

The CBI recently arrested another absconding accused,Feroze Abdul Rashid Khan,from Navi Mumbai. The trial is yet to begin.

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A red corner notice was issued against Merchant. He has been declared a proclaimed offender by the TADA court, said defence lawyer Farhana Shah,who appeared for several accused in 1993 blasts case.

According to the chargesheet,Merchant had attended meetings in Dubai,where the 1993 blasts conspiracy was hatched by Memon and Dawood Ibrahim. At present,the special TADA court is conducting the trial of extradited gangster Abu Salem,Mustafa Dossa and Abdul Qayyum.

The court convicted 100 persons including Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt.

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