Nachen moved HC for quashing POTA proceeding

Mumbai, Jun 30 (UNI) Saquib Nachen, prime accused in 2003 Mulund blast case, today moved the Bombay High Court for quashing the proceeding against him under POTA.

The petition filed by Nachen through Thane jail today came up for hearing before a division bench comprising Justices D G Deshpande and S A Bobde which adjourned the hearing for two weeks for further arguments.

In his petition, Nachen claimed that the investigation officer while making his submission in the POTA court two months ago had stated that there were no direct evidences available against the applicant for his involvement in the explosion nor in the preparation of the bomb.

Nachen contended that based on the statement of the investigating officer, the designated POTA Court at Mumbai be directed to drop, quash and set aside the proceeding against him under the stringent act.

The petitioner also prayed to the court to restrain the POTA court to proceed against him till the HC hears his petition and reaches the some conclusion.

It maybe recalled that earlier Apex Court had stayed the Mulund blast trial on a special leave petition filed by some of the Mulund blast accused challenging the use of confessional statement against the co-accused besides the confessor.

According to the prosecution case, Nachen had actively participated in the Mulund blast, which occured on March 13, 2003 in a local train claiming 2 lives and injuring many. He was also an active member of the banned Student's Islamic Movement.

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