Monday, November 14 2005 18:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The CBI is finding out whether extradited underworld don Abu Salem played a bigger role in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast conspiracy, other than being a mere supplier of arms and explosives.

CBI sources today (Nov 14, 2005) said that the interrogation was being focused to find out if he had knowledge of things other than supply of arms and explosives, and what kind of involvement did he have in those areas.

"We are exploring if he played a bigger role in the blast conspiracy," one of his interrogators told sources here today.

Terming Salem as 'very intelligent and sharp', sources maintained that Salem was 'fairly cooperative' in the probe so far. "At times he speaks little, while other times he gives long speeches (on the questions posed by CBI)," CBI sources said.

The sources have not ruled out possibility of more people being questioned on the basis of information provided by Salem, but refused to name any individual who might be called for questioning.

They also said that Salem's statement on people involved was being taken with a pinch of salt and no body will be called until the agency was sure of the veracity of his claims.

"It is possible that he may name some body with some motive. We can't jump to conclusion. We will have to ensure and doubly check facts before some body is called," CBI officials said. CBI sources refused to comment on media reports stating that Salem had named Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. "It's too premature to name anybody," they said.