Varanasi blast case to be heard on Nov 15

Varanasi, Nov 1 (UNI) Extending by two more weeks the judicial remand of Mohd. Waliullah -- the mastermind and key accused of March 7, 2006 Varanasi blasts case -- a local court here today posted the high profile case for hearing on November 15.

Special Judge (Essential Commodities Act) Narendra Singh Rawal, hearing the three cases -- Sankatmochan temple and Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station blasts, besides pressure cooker borne explosive recovery case -- fixed November 15 as the date for the next hearing in the case. The judge also extended by two weeks the judicial remand of Waliullah.

Earlier, Waliullah, lodged in Central Jail here was brought to the Varanasi district jail amid tight security to be produced before the judge. Waliullah also submitted an application before the court seeking time till next hearing to hire a counsel to contest his case.

The two government counsels Pradip Saxena and Munna Lal Yadav, however, objected Waliullah's plea, arguing that the court had already given sufficient time to the accused to hire a counsel.

Subsequently, the court rejected Waliullah's plea and instead ordered the appointment of a 'Nyaymitra' to contest his case on November 15.

Charges are likely to be framed against Waliullah on the next hearing in the case.

At least 18 people were killed and over 100 others wounded when two powerful blasts rocked the Sankatmochan temple and Varanasi Cantonment railway station within a span of 15 minutes of March 7 evening.

UNI ARS ATI VD RK1832