Mumbai: Shaikh Kasam Babulal Ismael Shaikh, a 1993 bomb blast accused, was on February 3 shot at by a hotel waiter in the crowded locality of Agripada in Central Mumbai.

He was admitted to a hospital, where he was reportedly out of danger. Shaikh received two bullet injuries, police said.

The cause of the attack appeared to be personal enmity, police commissioner R S Sharma said.

32-year-old Shaikh was shot at by Arafat Lokhandwala, a waiter in a hotel, at BIT chawls in Agripada. He was rushed to hospital where he was undergoing treatment. The assailant was absconding.

After securing bail, Shaikh got married and was blessed with a child. He undertook a mechanical course and became a turner. Later, he opened his own workshop. Initially, he used to come to the trial court on a bicycle and later purchased a two- wheeler.

Shaikh was facing the charge of visiting Dubai to obtain training in handling of arms and ammunition before the 1993 blasts shattered Mumbai. In a statement to police, the accused said he was sent to Dubai by absconding accused Ejaz Pathan.

However, he returned without obtaining training. Later in the court, he denied his own version.

Shaikh was arrested on May 10, 1993 and released on bail in October 1995 soon after actor Sanjay Dutt was enlarged by the Supreme Court.

After Sanjay was released on bail, 11 accused, who were placed in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s category for grant of bail, sought liberty.

Shaikh was one of the accused who got bail.

PTI