Shramjivi blast case: Warrants issued against 2 witnesses

Jaunpur, Nov 22 (UNI) A local court, hearing the Patna-New Delhi Shramjivi Express blast case, today issued bailable warrants against two witnesses in the case.

Rakesh Kumar and Ranjit -- numbered 9th and 10th witnesses in the case respectively -- were to appear before additional district and sessions judge (III) Rajendra Chandra for recording of statement.

However, when they failed to comply with court orders, the warrants were issued. The duo have been summoned on November 29, the next date of case hearing.

The bomb blast on July 28, 2005 near Singramau railway station, Jaunpur had killed 14 passengers and wounded 90 others.

Meanwhile, the three prime accused Obaid-ur-Rehman, Hilal-ud-din and Nafikul were produced under tight security before the court, which extended their judicial custody till the next hearing.

On July 24, the court had fixed charges under CrPC sections 148, 307, 302 and 120 B, of the CrPC, section 3/4 of the Explosive Substances Act, sections 150, 151 of the Railway Act and section 14 of the foreigners Act in tyhe case.

Two other accused-- Mohd Sharif alias Sirajuddin of Bangladesh and Mohd Roni--are absconding, while Dr Sayeed was yet to be traced.

Another accused Ghulam Rajdani alias Pahiya was eliminated in a police encounter.

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

UNI XC/VS VD KP1902