Three SIMI suspects get bail

Pune, Oct 23 (UNI) Three people, who were suspected to be SIMI activists, and arrested in August by the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), for allegedly circulating inciting literature, were released on bail by a local court today.

The additional sessions court judge S J Kale released the three on bail on furnishing bond of Rs 20,000 each.

The trio--Feroz Mehboob Pathan of Ghorpade Peth, Ayaz Khan and Imtiyaz Baba Miyan Sheikh of Bhimpura were nabbed in August. While granting bail, the Judge observed that investigations in the case had been completed.

The Pune ATS unit had arrested Pathan near a hotel on Shankarsheth Road on August 21 with 40 Urdu books, claiming that it was Jehadi literature. An Urdu book and four CDs were also recovered from Imtiyaz. The ATS then booked Ayaz Khan in the case. The ATS had arrested Ayaz arrested in a fake curency racket in Pune. The suspects were booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the complaint was lodged at Thane.

Defence lawyer Syed said ATS has not produced any details like the author, the publication or the meaning of the content in these books.

Assistant Public Prosecutor S M Jagtap told the court, ''The ATS have verified the content in the Urdu books and CDs recovered from the suspects and the book contains Jehadi literature. Pathan was circulating the books among others, creating unrest in the society.

The CDs and documents seized from Imtiyaz's possession also carry Jehadi content. Ayaz helped them in circulating the Jehadi material.'' The court, however, directed them to not to leave the country.

UNI SP SR SK BD2125