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Yakub Memon, one the accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case and younger brother of the absconding main accused Tiger Memon, has pleaded innocence before a special court. He said the Central Bureau of Investigation falsely implicated him and his family members in the crime.
"I came from Dubai in July 1994 and surrendered before the authorities. Today, I feel betrayed and all my hopes are belied," Yakub said in a statement recorded by the designated judge P D Kode Wednesday at the end of the trial.
Yakub, however, said he had not lost hope and that he had immense faith in the Indian Constitution.
He said he, along with his wife and other family members, had gone to Dubai a day before the serial explosions on March 11, 1993, but could not return due to unavoidable circumstances.
The accused said that a CBI officer had falsely deposed about his arrest on August 5, 1994. "Since I was not arrested, there was no question of any seizure from my possession on that day," he said.
Yakub said, "I have suffered heavily because of this case. My ailing parents have been jailed for more than three years. Today, they are suffering from multiple ailments. Still, I am unable to be besides them and take care of them."
Yakub also said that his brother Yusuf was suffering from schizophrenia and had spent four years in jail without any fault on his part.
A chartered accountant by profession, Yakub said that he was a victim of the bomb blasts conspiracy, and not the perpetrator or conspirator as made out by the CBI.
He said that his innocent wife and sister-in-law were also not spared. "When we surrendered in 1994, my daughter and niece were of tender age. Even they had to remain in jail along with us for two and a half years."
"Due to stress, I lost my senses in 1996. I do not remember any event that may have happened in that year and there is a vacuum in my mind, which is very disturbing. At times I feel depressed and I am still on anti-depression medicines. It has become part of my life," he told the judge.
Yakub said that he prayed for justice and liberty. "I feel that the society will not be in danger because of me. On the contrary, the society will gain from me."
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