2008 blasts: Suspected IM operative Faizan Ahmed Sultan sent to judicial custody till June 13

NEW DELHI: Suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Faizan Ahmed Sultan, who was arrested last month after being deported from Sharjah, was today remanded in judicial custody till June 13 by a court here in connection with a 2008 Delhi serial blasts case.

After Sultan was produced before the court after expiry of his police remand, additional sessions judge Daya Prakash sent him to judicial custody as the special cell of Delhi Police said he was not required to be interrogated further in the case.

55-year-old Sultan was earlier arrested here by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a separate case of waging war against the country.

The special cell had recently chargesheeted 29 suspected top IM operatives, including its co-founders Yasin Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, in two separate cases of September 13, 2008 serial blasts here.

These 29 accused were named in the charge sheet for various offences punishable under the IPC, Explosive Substances Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Information Technology Act.

Of them, 16 including Yasin Bhatkal and his close aide Asadullah Akhtar have been arrested by the probe agencies while 11 others are absconding.

Two of the accused -- Mohd Atif Ameen and Mohd Sajid -- were shot dead by the special cell in the September 19, 2008 Batla House encounter.

13 suspected members of IM are facing trial in cases of September 2008 Delhi serial blasts that had claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured.

Five cases were lodged in connection with the blasts at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place, M-Block Market in Greater Kailash and recovery of a bomb near India Gate.

All the five cases were clubbed by the trial court for the purpose of framing of charges and trial, saying, "They arise from the series of the same transaction."