NIA court says terror accused should not be handcuffed

An appeal made by an accused in a conspiracy case not to be handcuffed has been allowed by the Special NIA court in Bengaluru. Asad Khan who was arrested for his alleged role in the Lashkar-e-Tayiba conspiracy case had pleaded with the court that he should not be handcuffed while being produced. The court issued orders to the jail authorities and the police not to handcuff the accused without prior permission from the court.

The case was cracked by the Bengaluru police and later handed over to the NIA. In this case, the police alleged that several persons had entered into a conspiracy to kill Hindu leaders in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana. Khan had been arrested in connection with this case.

He told the court that he is 58 years old. I am an aged man and also civilised. Moreover I have never troubled anyone and always cooperated with the investigation. I am innocent and am ready to face trial he also added. When I have assured that I shall face the trial to prove my innocence, it is not fair to handcuff me and cause me mental trauma, Khan also told the court. His appeal was allowed with directions to the prison authorities not to handcuff him while being produced before the court.