Sunday, March 12 2006 12:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: CBI is likely to urge a designated TADA court here on March 14 to separate the trial of extradited gangster Abu Salem from the main trial in the 1993 bomb blast case.

The CBI is expected to undertake this exercise on March 14 when Salem and other accused, including film star Sanjay Dutt, would be produced before the court for regular attendence, sources told sources .

On March 1, when CBI filed supplementary chargesheet against Salem and his accomplice Riyaz Siddiqui, charging them with criminal conspiracy leading to the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had demanded that the court separate Salem's trial from the rest of the accused.

Salem's trial with the rest will further delay judgement in case of remaining accused, whose trial ended in September 2003, Nikam had told the court.

He also said the agency had collected evidence that could prove Salem's role in the 1993 bomb blasts for transport of arms and explosives.

On CBI's plea the court has kept the names of 15 witnesses under wraps before giving copies of chargesheet to the accused as the investigating agency apprehended that Salem might influence them by his clout in the underworld.

Salem aide Riyaz Siddiqui, whose alleged role in the blasts conspiracy came into light during Salem's interrogation by CBI, has also been charged with criminal conspiracy and transport of arms and ammunition.

All the 86 accused on bail, including Sanjay Dutt, would also appear on March 14 when Salem and Siddiqui would be produced before the court. About 35 other accused, lodged in central prison, would also be brought for remand on the same day.

Salem and Siddiqui are facing the charge of supplying arms to co-accused including Dutt. The actor has denied the allegation and Salem too has retracted his statement of confession to this effect. The court has already recorded more than 13,000 pages of evidence and is busy preparing for the verdict.

"Salem's arrest after extradition from Portugal has delayed the judgement," defence lawyer Subhash Kanse said.

On March 12, 1993, a series of bomb blasts shattered the city at 13 places killing 256 persons and injuring 713 besides damaging property worth Rs 27 crore.