'93 blasts: Kode not to hear Salem's trial

Mumbai: Special TADA judge Pramod Kode who was transferred to the Nashik district court as principal judge, will not hear the Abu Salem trial in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case, after Salem's lawyer filed an application on Tuesday.

According to the application, the trial should be heard now by the new judge who will preside over the TADA court and not Judge Kode who has been already transferred.

Full coverage: 1993 Mumbai serial blasts verdict

Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing for Salem argued that he should be tried by the new judge and not Judge Kode. Special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam accepted the application and did not raise any objection.

Judge Kode then adjourned the hearing of the trial till the new judge presides the special TADA court. Judge Kode is currently conducting trial of four accused whose cases were separated from the 123 accused in the case, including extradited gangsters Abu Salem and Mustafa Dossa.

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After a trial spanning over 13 years, judge Kode convicted 100 persons for their role in carrying out the blasts, allegedly at the behest of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Twelve persons were sentenced to death and 20 to life imprisonment.

Actor Sanjay Dutt was convicted by Judge Kode under the Arms Act and sentenced to six years imprisonment for illegal possession of weapons.

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