Khan told presspersons in Mumbai today that during his meeting with Vajpayee and Union Home Minister L K Advani at New Delhi on Sunday, the Prime Minister had given him a firm assurance and said he would make a formal announcement to the effect when he came to Mumbai on Thursday.

Advani, on his part, reportedly sought the files of the accused and guaranteed the "legal scrutiny" of the cases, so that they could be transferred to the relevant sections of the IPC. Khan had led a five-member team comprising Farooq Batatawala and representatives of Raza Academy, Ulama Council and Anjumane Barkaate Reza to the BJP's top bosses.

During his first visit to Mumbai, the PMis also expected to meet Muslim women and children who are relatives of the blasts undertrials. He had raised the hopes of Muslim detenues when he suggested a review of TADA cases during his Lucknow speech last month.

The main plea of Muslim leaders and the blast accused is not release or acquittal, but the granting of bail so that they can take care of their economic and family affairs.