SIMI leader among 3 remanded to police custody in Mumbai blasts

Mumbai, Jun 22 (UNI) A Metropolitan Court today remanded Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) leader Safdar Nagori and three others to police custody till June 26 for their alleged involvement in the 7/11 Mumbai serial train blasts in 2006.

After a transit remand was issued by a local court of Madhya Pradesh, the quartet was brought here by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police and produced in the court.

They were booked under the Unlawful Activities Preventions Act (UAPA) for their alleged involvement in July 11 serial blasts, a series of seven synchronised explosions in suburban local trains that killed at least 187 people and left even a greater number of people wounded.

While moving the remand application, an ATS official told the court that the accused were involved in anti-national activities and Nagori was in the city between July 7-12, 2006.

However, it was unclear where he was and what was his role, the official said.

The court was told that police needed to conduct a detailed probe in this regard, hence required the custody, which was granted.

Among others, who were remanded, included Shibli Peedical Abdul, a top leader of the banned SIMI, who was reportedly present in the city on the day of the blasts.

Nagori is said to be acquainted with other train blasts accused and SIMI's Maharashtra unit general secretary Ehtesham Siddiqui. He was wanted in a case filed in the city, in which Siddiqui was first arrested.

Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh Police had apprehended Nagori and Abdul, along with 11 other activists of the banned outfit in March this year.

The ATS has taken the custody of the accused from the Madhya Pradesh Police.

The accused were also wanted in the case for printing and distributing Jehadi literature in 2006.

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