13/7 blasts: MCOCA court issues transfer warrant against Yasin Bhatkal

MUMBAI: A special MCOCA court today issued a transfer warrant to obtain custody of top Indian Mujahideen operative Yasin Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar in connection with the 2011 triple blasts that killed 27 people.

"The court has issued transfer warrant against Bhatkal and Akhtar alias Haddi alias Tabrez in connection with the 13/7 blasts case," said Sharif Sheikh, one of the defence lawyers in the case.

During the hearing, ATS told the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court that interrogation of Bhatkal and Tabrez was needed to gain insights into unfolding of bombings, after which the court issued the transfer warrant.

While Bhatkal and Tabrez were shown absconding among 10 others in the July 13 bomb blasts case, ATS had arrested Naquee Ahmed, Nadeem Shaikh, Kanwar Pathrija, Haroon Naik and Qafeel Ansari.

According to ATS, 30-year-old Bhatkal alias Syed Mohammed Ahmed Zarar Siddibapa, along with Tarbez and absconding accused Waqas, had rented a flat on the third floor in Byculla's Habib building, where they allegedly assembled explosives before triggering blasts at Dadar, Zaveri Bazaar and Opera House on July 13.

According to Nadeem's confession, Bhatkal planted bomb at Dadar while Waqas and Tabrez parked two wheelers fitted with bombs at Zaveri Bazar and Opera House.

Wanted in around 40 blast cases and carrying a reward of Rs 35 lakh, Bhatkal was arrested from Indo-Nepal border on August 28, along with Tabrez.

Both are in custody of National Investigation Agency in New Delhi.