SC dismisses bail petition of Pak-trained terrorists

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The Supreme Court has dismissed the bail petitions of two alleged Pakistan-trained terrorists arrested for hatching a criminal conspiracy to take revenge for the killings of Muslims in the 2002 Gujarat communal riots.

A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha and Markandey Katju, however, yesterday directed the designated judge to conclude the trial as expeditiously as possible and preferrably within six months from the date of communication of this order.

According to the Gujarat government, two appellants -- Afzal Khan alias Babu Murtuzakhan Pathan and Saiyed Ejaz Ahmed alias Chotta Ejaz, resident of Hyderabad -- were arrested on April 15, 2003 and on December 14, 2003, respectively.

According to the prosecution, the two had gone to Pakistan for training to settle scores for massacre of Muslims in the communal riots in Gujarat which had rocked the state in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning incident in which over sixty car sevaks were charred to death.

The apex court in its order said, ''in a case of this nature it is very difficult to say at this stage as to whether they are parties to a larger conspiracy or not. In the evidence, it is alleged that one of the appellants has gone for trainng to Pakistan, another had provided money and he had been in possession of a large quantity of arms. A strong prima facie case has been made out against the appellants herein. Their release at this juncture may hamper the smooth conduct of the trial since main witnesses are yet to be examined. One of the apppellants is from a different state. It may be difficult to secure his presence if released on bail at this crucial juncture.'' UNI AKS SC SY ND1740