Roni produced in court; next hearing on March 17

Jaunpur, Mar 11 (UNI) Alamgeer alias Mohd Roni, an accused in the Patna-New Delhi Shramjeevi Express blast case was produced before a local court amid tight security today.

The July 28, 2005 blast near Halpalganj-Singramau railway station in the district had killed at least 14 people and critically wounded 90 others.

Roni, presently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, was produced before Additional District and Sessions Judge (III) Rajendra Chandra.

Although, one of the witnesses Ram Balak Sahini testified in the court, another witness Rajesh remained absent.

The court issued a non-bailable warrant against Rajesh and fixed next hearing for March 17.

Meanwhile, Roni will remain in judicial custody.

Other three accused Obaid-ur-Rehman, Hilal-ud-din and Nafikul -- presently lodged in Jaunpur district jail -- were produced before the court yesterday.

Since some related documents could not be brought from Tees Hazari court, New Delhi, the court posted the case for the next hearing on March 27.

There are 48 witnesses in the case.

Chargesheet against the accused had already been filed 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.

Two other accused Mohd Sharif alias Sirajuddin of Bangladesh and Dr Sayeed are 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 here from Cherallapalli Central Jail, Andhra Pradesh under a warrant, while Obaid-ur-Rehman, a Bangladeshi, was brought from Murshidabad, West Bengal.

UNI XC-PDM ATI RR RK1835