Terror cases hogged limelight in Delhi courts in 2013

New Delhi, Dec 24: Proceedings related to terror masterminds Yasin Bhatkal and Abdul Karim Tunda in 2013 hogged the limelight in Delhi courts which brought down the curtains in the Batla House encounter case by giving life term to a suspected terrorist of Indian Mujahideen (IM) module.

While the conviction and sentencing of Shahzad Ahmed in the sensational 2008 Batla House encounter case brought smiles on the faces of Delhi Police officials, the transfer of case relating to suspected Hizbul militant Liyaqat Shah to the NIA and his subsequent release on bail left them red faced.

The branding of Liyaqat as a big catch by special cell of Delhi Police later on turned out to be damp squib as Jammu and Kashmir Police insisted that he was one of those who ex-filtrated in 1990s and returned to India to surrender under the state's rehabilitation policy.

Even Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came out in open and criticised Delhi Police for arresting Liyaqat and under pressure from all the quarters, the Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the case to National Investigation Agency.

45-year-old Liyaqat was released on bail after spending nearly two months in jail, by the court which had said NIA's probe confirmed there was no substantial linkage regarding his involvement in the conspiracy to carry out terror attacks in the national capital, as claimed by Delhi Police.

IM co-founder Bhatkal, 30, was perhaps one of the biggest catches for the probe agencies as he is wanted in over 60 terror cases across the country. Carrying a reward of Rs 35 lakh, he was arrested along with his close aide Asadullah Akhtar by NIA from the Indo-Nepal border on August 28.

Similarly, top Lashkar-e-Taiba bomb expert Tunda, one of the 20 terrorists India had asked Pakistan to hand over after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was caught by Delhi Police after being on the run for nearly two decades.

He is suspected to be involved in 40 bombings across the country.

PTI