In camera trial of Kozhikode Twin blast case begins

Kochi, Feb 21 (PTI): In camera trial proceedings in theKozhikode twin blast case, in which T Nazeer, a suspected LeToperative and prime accused in the 2008 Bangalore blast case,began today at the CBI Special court here.

National Investigation Agency, probing various terrorrelated cases in Kerala, had sought in camera trial as asecurity measure, which was allowed by Special Court Judge SVijay Kumar.

T Nazeer and Sarfraz Nawaz were among the accused presentin court today when a crucial witness was examined.

NIA had filed a chargesheet in the case in August 2010,listing Nazeer as the first accused. He is also prime accusedin the burning of a Tamil Nadu state owned bus at Kalamasseryin 2005.

While one of the accused Fayaz, was killed in an encounterin Kashmir, another person Shammi Firoz turned approver.

Presently, there are six accused in the case.

The accused have been chargesheeted under various sectionsof IPC, including 120B (punishment of criminal consipracy),124(A) (sedition), 153 (A) (promoting enmity between differentgroups) and Sect 3,4,5 of Explosive Substances Act.

Two policemen and a porter were injured in the bomb blastson Mar 3, 2006. The first exploded in a garbage dump at thestate transport bus stand and the second soon after at a drainnear a moffusil bus stand.

NIA stated that some of them, also accused in the 2004Marad case,were ''arbitarily'' denied bail by Kozhikode districtcourt and that they planted bombs as they wanted to retaliateand create communal disharmony between two communties

The case was sequel to the riots in Marad coastal hamlet inMay 2, 2003 which claimed the lives of eight fishermen. Fivepersons were killed in the riots in the village in 2004.

Meanwhile, NIA also sought cancellation of bail of accusedin the Kalamassery bus burning case of Sept 9, 2005 in which aTamil Nadu state transport owned bus was burnt.

Soofiya Madani, wife of PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, anaccused in the Bangalore blast case, is the 10th accused inthe bus burning case and is now out on bail.