2008 Delhi blasts: Court dismisses custody parole plea of accused

NEW DELHI: A suspected Indian Mujahideen operative, who along with others is facing trial in the September 2008 Delhi serial blasts case, has been denied custody parole by a court here which observed that one of the witnesses had identified him as the person who had allegedly planted a bomb.

Accused Zeeshan Ahmed, who is presently lodged in jail under judicial custody, had moved an application in the court seeking custody parole for attending ceremonies relating to death of his grandfather.

The police, however, opposed his plea contending that the allegations against him were grave in nature.

"Accused Zeeshan Ahmad has been identified by prosecution witness no. 203...as the person who placed a polythene bag in the dustbin near the bus stop on Barakhamba Road on the date of the blasts. Considering this development, I am not inclined to consider the prayer of accused Zeeshan Ahmad," the judge said while dismissing his plea.

Zeeshan, along with 12 other alleged IM operatives, are facing trial in connection with the September 13, 2008 serial blasts in Delhi 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.

According to the Special Cell of Delhi Police, Zeeshan, in conspiracy with others, had planted a bomb in the dustbin at Barakhamba Road on September 13, 2008 and the explosion took place after he had left the spot.

The court has fixed the case for recording of prosecution evidence on December 13.

Among the accused, five men were arrested following an encounter at the Batla House here on September 19, 2008.

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

The accused facing trial in the case are -- Mohd Shakeel, Mohd Saif, Zeeshan Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehaman, Saquib Nisar, Mohd Sadik Israr Ahmed, Kayamuddin Kapadia, Mohd Mansoor Asgar Peerbhoy, Mubin Kadar Sheikh, Asif Bashruddin, Mohd Akbar Ismaile, Mohd Hakim and Shahzad Ahmed.