New Delhi, Jun 9 (IANS) Taher Mohammed Merchant, a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai terror blasts, was Tuesday extradited from the UAE, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said.

Merchant alias Taher Taklya alias Taher Mohamed Dada was presented before a designated CBI court in Mumbai and was granted police custody till June 14, said a CBI statement.

Merchant was declared a proclaimed offender by a designated anti-terror court in Mumbai Oct 15, 1993, the CBI release said, adding that "the agency had also got issued an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Merchant in 1994".

A request for Merchant's extradition to face trial in India was sent by the CBI through the external affairs ministry in 2004 as per the provisions of the extradition treaty between India and the UAE.

The serial terror bombings in Mumbai March 12, 1993, had claimed 257 lives, injured 713 and destroyed properties worth crores of rupees.

In this case, 100 accused have already been convicted by the designated Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) Court in Mumbai on completion of their trial.