Produce Aseemanand statement in court: Malegoan blast accused

Mumbai, Feb 7 (PTI) Nine persons, arrested in connectionwith 2006 Malegaon blasts, have moved a special MaharashtraControl of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) court, seeking that CBIbe directed to produce a copy of the confession of SwamiAseemanand allegedly involved in Mecca Masjid blast inHyderabad.

"The application was made after the special Delhi courtrejected our application seeking a copy of Assemanand''sconfession," defense lawyer Kalhid Azmi said.

Aseemanand, arrested in November last for his allegedrole in 2007 Mecca Masjid blasts, had in his confessionrecorded before the magistrate last month, reportedly saida right-wing group was responsible for 2006 Malegoan blastswhich killed 36 people and injured over 100.

Nine Muslim men, who were arrested in the case and are injail for the past four years, had moved the MCOCA court hereon January 17 seeking bail, citing Aseemanand''s confessionpointing to a right-wing group''s involvement in the attack.

However, the court had directed the defense lawyers toget the copy of the confession from the Delhi court.

"When we approached the Delhi court, the court thoughrejected our application seeking the confessional copy, said acopy has already been given to CBI," said Azmi.

The court has directed CBI to file its response onFebruary 9.

The blasts took place near Hamidia mosque in the BadaKabristan area on September 8, 2006.

The police had arrested nine persons - Salman Farsi,Shabir Ahmed, Noorulhuda Doha, Rais Ahmed, Mohammed Ali, AsifKhan, Javed Sheikh, Farooque Ansari and Abrar Ahmed - fortheir alleged involvement in the blasts.