Court bans use of CCTV footage of bombed German Bakery

Pune, Feb 25 (ANI): In response to an application filed by the Maharashtra Anti Terror squad (ATS), a special court in Pune has put a ban on all television news channels from showing the CCTV footage of the German Bakery blast.

"No electronic media should publish, display or telecast any footage or coverage of the incident dated February 13, 2010, and before the incident that has come on the CCTV (footage) of German Bakery and Hotel 'O', which will lead to the disclosure of identity of the witnesses in the case," said Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, while reading out the court order.

"The order was passed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Section 44 which provides for protection of witnesses such as keeping their identities secret even in orders, judgments and records of the court, by issuing directions to secure their identity," he added.

He also said two organisations had written to him, claiming responsibility for the blast.

The letter by the SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) International bore a Pune stamp. The other letter sent by the Mujahideen Islami Muslim Front was written in Devanagari script.

"Some groups claim responsibility. But the claims may be false or may have been made to divert the course of the investigation. Such claims will not affect the probe," he added.

"Many a times some organisations and people, they make false claims. We cannot say anything right now. To disrupt the investigation of the investigative agencies, some people send such letters.

People send letters, make phone calls and send SMSs; these things keep happening but all this will not hamper the work of the investigative agencies. They will work as the evidence comes their way," said Singh.

The blast which killed 16 and wounded 57 people is seen as the first major attack on India since the November 26,2008 Mumbai terrors attack.

The bakery is located in Koregaon Park, which is close to the Osho Ashram and the Chabad House, a Jewish prayer house, frequented by numerous foreigners and tourists. (ANI)