Twin blast case accused allowed to file nominations for civic polls

Mumbai, Dec 21 (UNI) The designated POTA court here today granted permission to Ashrat Shafiq Ansari, an accused in the August 2003 twin blasts here that had left 54 persons dead, to visit the election office and file his nominations for the civic elections scheduled early next year.

Ashrat Ansari had moved an application before the court on Monday, stating that he intended to contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and, therefore, he be allowed to visit the election office to file his nominations.

He said in his application that he was required to visit the election office at Andheri (West) personally for filing the nominations.

POTA court judge S S Joshi today granted the permission and directed the police to provide security to the accused during his visit to the election office on January 13.

Two blasts -- one near the Gateway of India and the other at Zaveri Bazar -- had rocked the metropolis on August 25, 2003, killing 54 persons and injuring 70 others.

The trial into the case is progressing on a day-to-day basis and is nearing completion. Six persons, including Ansari, were arrested in this connection. One of them has turned an approver.

UNI PVN MAZ MSJ ND1703