The Aug 25, 2003 twin blasts -- one at Gateway of India and another at Zaveri Bazar -- killed 54 people and injured another 244.

The terror attacks were carried out ostensibly to 'avenge' the death of Muslims killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots that broke out in the wake of the Godhra train burning on Feb 27 that year.

During the trial, two other accused -- Rizwan Laddowala and A. Shaikh Batterywala -- were acquitted by the Supreme Court for lack of evidence after a POTA review committee had recommended their discharge from the twin blasts case. The duo was accused of connecting the timer with the detonator and prepared the other electrical circuits used in the deadly bombs.

Another prime accused and the mastermind behind the blasts, Nazir, was shot dead by police in Matunga in central Mumbai in September 2003.

The Sayeds' minor daughter Farheen, though involved in the operation, was not charged under POTA and was discharged from the case a few years ago, according to Kunjuraman.

A total of four cases were simultaneously filed against all the accused in which 101 witnesses were examined.

They are: the twin blasts at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar which killed 54 and injured over 244; a blast outside Ghatkopar railway station July 28, 2003, which left 2 dead and 31 injured.

The fourth case pertained to planting a bomb in a bus Dec 2, 2003, at the Special Electronics Export Promotion Zone (SEEPZ), a major commercial hub in Andheri East, which failed to explode.

After the March 12, 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case, Nikam successfully conducted the twin blasts case and is currently spearheading the prosecution case of the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.