Testimony recorded in Shramjivi Express blast case

Jaunpur, May 5 (UNI) A local court here today recorded the testimony of a witness in the Patna-New Delhi Shramjivi Express bomb blast case.

The July 28, 2005 blast at Hariharpur railway crossing near Singramau railway station had killed 14 passengers and grievously wounded 90 others.

The three prime accused Obaid-ur-Rehman, Hilal-ud-din and Nafikul were produced before District and Sessions Judge (III) Rajendra Chandra under tight security.

The statement of witness Prabhunath Ram was recorded today.

However, cross questioning could not be taken up and would be held on May 9 -- the next date of hearing.

There are 48 witnesses in the case. So far, the statement of 24 witnesses have been recorded.

On July 24, 2006, the court had fixed charges under CrPC sections 148, 307, 302 and 120 B, Explosive Substance Act section 3/4, Railway Act section 150, 151 and Foreigners Act section 14 in the 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 gunned down in an encounter.

In May, 2006 -- 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