5 things we know about Mustafa Dossa’s role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts

Mumbai city news: Dossa took several co-accused to Dawood Ibrahim’s house, where the plot to bomb the city was discussed further

Mustafa Dossa, 60, one of the main convicts in the 1993 serial blasts case, made headlines once again after reports of his death surfaced earlier today. Here’s what we know about him:

Special public prosecutor Deepak Salvi had asked that Dossa be given a death sentence. (HT File Photo)

1. Dossa played a key role in planning the bombings and was arrested on March 20, 2003. The Central Bureau of Investigation said he arranged for arms and explosives to be delivered to Raigad.

2. He helped the prime co-conspirators hatch the plot by holding the group’s first meeting at his Dubai residence. He sent the first consignment of arms to Dighi Jetty and financed the group’s travel and stay in Dubai.

3. He took several co-accused to Dawood Ibrahim’s house, where another meeting was held to discuss the plot. He recruited several co-accused and arranged for their green-channel entry and exit into and out of Pakistan, where they were trained to use arms, ammunition and explosives. He ordered them to destroy these arms after the blast.

4. The Tada court that convicted him said, “Dossa organised and actively participated in conspiratorial meetings held in Dubai. He and his brother were involved in the landing of arms and ammunition. Dossa helped the accused get training in Pakistan.”

5. “Dossa’s role is more serious than that of Yakub Memon, and Khan’s role was almost similar,” said special public prosecutor Deepak Salvi, who had asked that he be given a death sentence.