Friday, September 22 2006 16:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The TADA court today (Sept 22, 2006) convicted Dawood Mohammed Phanse and Sharif Abdul Gafoor Parkar in the 1993 serial blasts case and gave a judicial finding for the first time on the involvement of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in it.

Phanse alias Dawood Taklya was convicted on the charges of attending a meeting in Dubai convened by Dawood Ibrahim to plan the conspiracy and later organised the landing of arms, ammunitions and explosives on Shekhadi coast in Raigad district on February 3 and 7, 1993.

Phanse was convicted under Section 3 (3) (aiding and abetting the conspiracy) and Section 6 (punishment extending from five years to life in case of contravention of provisions of Arms Act, Explosive Act and Explosive Substances Act) of the now repealed Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

In accepting Phanse's confession that he had gone to Dubai to attend the meeting convened by Dawood Ibrahim, the court for the first time has given a judicial finding on the involvement of the underworld don in the case.