Mumbai: In keeping with a judicial directive, 86 accused in the 1993 bomb blast case, including film actor Sanjay Dutt, would appear before a special court on November 3 even as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) eagerly awaits deportation of Abu Salem who allegedly played a major role in distributing arms at the instance of key conspirator Dawood Ibrahim.

Designated judge P D Kode had allowed the accused on bail to travel in Maharashtra during Diwali to meet relatives but directed them to appear without fail on November 3.

Some of them were also allowed to leave the state limits on visit to their native place. Among them were Sayed Abdul Rehman, Karji Adijania, Russi Mulla, Anant Bhoir, Samir Hingora, Asafur Rehman, Mohammed Sultan Sayed, Mohammed Ahmed Mansoor Ahmed and Mulchand Shah.

On a plea made by defence lawyer Farhana Shah, Sanjay was allowed to go to Ooty for film shooting.

36 other accused lodged in central prison would also be produced before the court.

Meanwhile, CBI awaits deportation of Abu Salem who helped Dawood Ibrahim in distributing arms to accused. Salem is in custody of Portugal police on charges of illegal stay there.

Sanjay is facing the charge of possessing an AK-56 rifle and destroying the weapon. CBI has alleged that Abu Salem had gone to Sanjay's residence along with other accused to deliver weapon. Sanjay denied the charges and witnesses also did not support the prosecution's case.

CBI examined 686 witnesses and the evidence has crossed 13,000 pages. The accused are charged with carrying out serial blasts on March 12, 1993 which killed 257 people and injured 713 besides damaging property worth Rs 27 crore.

PTI