Court extends police custody of four SIMI activists till June 30

Mumbai, Jun 26 (UNI) A local court today extended the police custody of four activists of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), including its leader Safdar Nagori till June 30 for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities across the state, including the July 11, 2006 serial train bomb blasts in Mumbai.

Nagori and other SIMI leaders were brought to Mumbai by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police from Madhya Pradesh on June 22, after a transit remand was issued by a local MP court to enable the ATS to probe their alleged involvement in July 11, train bombing and other anti-national activities. At least 187 people were killed and over 700 injured in the blasts.

Among others, who were remanded, also include1d Shibli Peedical Abdul, a top leader of the banned SIMI, who was reportedly present in the city on the day of the blasts.

All of them are booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

While moving the remand application before magistrate P R Deshmukh, ATS today told the court that the accused were involved in anti-national activities, including the 7/11 serial train bomb blasts. Nagori was present in the city between July 7 and July 12, 2006. However, it was not clear as to where he was at the time of the blasts and what was his role in that.

The ATS told the court that police wanted to question them further, hence they required the extension of the accused's custody, which was granted by the court.

When the court asked the four accused whether they had to report any complaint about ill-treatment at the hands of police, they all replied in negative.

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

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Police had arrested Nagori and Abdul, along with 11 other activists, in March this year.

The accused were also wanted in a case of printing and distributing 'Jehadi' literature in 2006.

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