13 IM suspects to face trial in 2008 Delhi serial blasts cases

New Delhi, Feb 5 (PTI) Thirteen suspected IndianMujahideen terrorists will face trial for allegedly plottingserial blasts in the national capital in September 2008 thatclaimed 26 lives as a Court today decided to frame chargesfor waging war and murder against them.

However, one of the accused, Salman was dischargedwith the judge saying there was no material evidence pointingto his involvement in the blasts.

The court said it will frame the charges against themon February 21 for the offences of conspiring to wage waragainst the nation and killing people under various provisionsof law including the tough anti-terror Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act.

The charges will be framed against Mohd Shakeel, MohdSaif, Zeeshan Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehaman, Saquib Nisar, MohdSadique, Kayamuddin Kapadia, Mohd Hakim, Mohd Mansoor AshgarPeerbhoy, Mubin Kadar Sheikh, Asif Bashiruddin, Mohd AkbarIsmail Chaudhary and Shahzad Ahmed.

"Prima facie offences punishable under sections121A/121 (waging war against the nation), 302 (murder), 307(attempt to murder), 427 (mischief to property) read with120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and relevant sections ofthe Explosives Substance Act, the Information Technology Actand the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are made outagainst the 13 accused," Additional Sessions Judge SantoshSnehi Mann said.

The court clubbed the five cases for framing chargesand holding trial saying "they arise from the series ofsame transaction".

Discharging Salman from all the five cases, the judgesaid there is no material on record to prima-facie show hisrole and involvement in the serial blasts in Delhi.

Out of the 13 accused, 11 are now lodged in SabarmatiJail in Ahmedabad for their alleged involvement in the blaststhere.

Besides the killing of 26 persons, the blasts had left135 people injured on September 13, 2008.

Five cases were registered in connection with theserial blasts at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Roadin Connaught Place, M-Block Market in Greater Kailash andrecovery of bomb near India Gate.

Among the 14 accused, five men were arrested by Delhipolice following an encounter at Batla House here on September19, 2008.

Of the remaining, four were apprehended by Mumbaipolice, three by Uttar Pradesh police and one each byHyderabad and Madhya Pradesh police.

Two of those involved in the blasts, Atif Ameen,alleged leader of the Indian Mujahideen, and another suspectMohd Sajid were killed in the gun battle at Jamia Nagar insouth Delhi.

The encounter at Jamia Nagar area had claimed life ofInspector M C Sharma.

Most of the accused are natives of Azamgarh districtin Uttar Pradesh.