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Trial in 1993 Bombay riots case to begin on July 26

More than seven years after two mathadi [headload] workers were killed, leading to the second spell of communal rioting in Bombay in 1993 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the trial in the sensational case is set to begin on July 26 before the sessions court.

Bombay witnessed two spells of communal riots in 1992-93 in the wake of the mosque's demolition, with the mathadi workers' murder sparking the second spell.

The first witness in the case will depose before Additional Sessions Judge A R Mahajan on July 26.

The accused named in the first information report are: Nazir Arif Noor Mohammed Khan, Nazir Hussain Noor Mohammed Chaudhari, Sayyed Mansoor Sayyed Liyakat Hussain, Mohammed Hussain Ghulam Shaikh alias Hussain Dharavi alias Mohan Malpade, Mohammed Sajid Maji Momin, Akbar, Abdul Rahman Sarbatwala, Rauf Chacha and Firoz Sarguro alias Konkani.

They have been charged with offences under sections 120(b) (conspiracy) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code read with provisions of the Arms Act and the Bombay Police Act.

In the late hours of January 5, 1993, Lakshman Vishnu Kadam, a mathadi worker, was attacked by a group of persons outside a godown where he was sleeping with some others. His screams were heard by Shivaji Kadam, the complainant in the case, who ran into the godown.

The killers followed Shivaji Kadam and attacked other workers sleeping nearby. When the victims shouted for help, they ran away. Four persons were admitted to the J J Hospital, where Laxman Kadam and Rajaram Kadam were declared dead.

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