Court charges Ghulam Ahmed for sponsoring 2005 Delhi bomb blast

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) A city court today framed charges against Ghulam Ahmed Khan, who was accused of providing money for the bomb blasts that rocked Delhi three years ago on the eve of Diwali.

Additional Sessions Judge Babulal framed the charges against Khan under Section 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to the prosecution, Khan had received a sum of about Rs 14 lakh in his bank account of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Lajpat Nagar branch. He transferred the money to the co-accused Tariq Ahmed Dar, knowing well that the fund would be used for committing terrorism. Khan also got prepared the draft in the name of one Mrs Nirmala, knowing that this fund would be used in blasts in the markets of Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj and in a DTC bus in the Kalkaji area on October 29, 2005.

The court had earlier framed charges against the other accused, including main accused Tariq Ahmed and Farooq Ahmed Batloo and Mohd Rafiq Shah, involved in the blast. Charges against Khan could not be framed earlier, as his mental condition was not found to be stable and he was, therefore, referred to the Human Behavior&Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Shahadra, for treatment. However, after the report from the hospital that he was fit to take part in the trial, the court framed the charges against him.

Khan, however, pleaded not guilty to these charges labelled against him.

The court adjourned the matter to July 19 for recording the evidence of the prosecution.

Khan also pleaded before the court to be released on bail on which the court reserved its order for May 20.

UNI XC SBC US1905