Shramjivi blast: testimony of 2 witnesses recorded

Jaunpur, May 15 (UNI) A terrorist accused in the Patna-New Delhi Shramjivi Express bomb blast case was today produced before a local court amid tight security, where testimony of two witnesses was recorded.

The July 28, 2005 blast near Halpalganj-Singramau railway station in the district had killed at least 14 people and grievously injured 90 others.

Accused Alamgeer, alias Roni, presently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, was produced before Additional District and Sessions Judge (III) Rajendra Chandra under tight security, where testimony of witnesses -- Ranjeet and Pradhuman -- were recorded.

However, as another witness Ashok Kumar remained absent, the judicial custody of the accused has been extended till May 22, the next hearing date.

There are 48 witnesses in the case.

Obaid-ur-Rehman, Hilal-ud-din and Nafikul are also prime accused in the case and presently lodged in the Jaunpur district prison.

Chargesheet against the accused had already been filed under CrPC sections 148, 307, 302 and 120 B, Explosive Substance Act section 3/4, Railway Act section 150, 151 and Foreigners Act section 14.

Two other accused Mohd Sharif, alias Sirajuddin, of Bangladesh and Dr Sayeed are yet to be traced.

Another accused Ghulam Rajdani, alias Pahiya, was gunned down in an encounter.

In May 2006, Hilal-ud-din and Nafikul were brought here from Cherallapalli Central Jail, Andhra Pradesh under a warrant, while Obaid-ur-Rehman, a Bangladeshi, was brought from Murshidabad, West Bengal.

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