Abdul Karim Tunda, a notorious figure allegedly associated with several terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has been acquitted by a special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) court in connection with the 1993 serial bomb blast case. The ruling, based on a lack of evidence, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the efficacy of the legal system in combating terrorism.
Tunda, whose alleged involvement in numerous terrorist activities has long been a subject of investigation, had faced charges related to his role in the coordinated bomb blasts that rocked several locations in 1993, including prominent landmarks in Mumbai such as the Bombay Stock Exchange and various commercial and residential areas. These blasts, one of the most devastating terror attacks in India’s history, claimed hundreds of innocent lives and caused extensive property damage.
This is not the first time Tunda has been acquitted on similar grounds. In March 2016, a Delhi court ruled in his favor, stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove his involvement in bomb-making activities. Additionally, Tunda had been acquitted in cases related to the Sadar Bazaar and Kotla bomb blasts.
Despite being a key suspect in at least 40 bomb blast cases across the country, including the 1993 Mumbai train blasts, Tunda has managed to evade conviction multiple times. His alleged association with extremist groups such as LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and the Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HUJI) has further fueled concerns about his activities and connections within the terror network.
Tunda’s arrest in August 2013 near the Indo-Nepal border was seen as a significant breakthrough for Indian authorities, who had been pursuing him for years. Following his apprehension, he faced a slew of charges related to terrorism, including conspiracy, murder, and waging war against the state.
However, in a separate case, Tunda was found guilty by a Sonepat court in October 2017 for his involvement in the 1996 Sonepat blasts. He was sentenced to life imprisonment under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosive Substances Act.
Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Tunda has been accused of teaching bomb-making techniques to jihadists in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Reports have also suggested his involvement in training Rohingyas from Myanmar to target Buddhists in the region.
Sources By Agencies