2008 Delhi serial blasts: Suspected IM operative's bail plea rejected

NEW DELHI: The bail plea of a suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative, facing trial in the September 13, 2008 Delhi serial blasts case, has been rejected by a Delhi court which said evidence placed on record revealed that a prima facie case was made out against him.

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh dismissed the bail plea of Mohd Mansoor Asgar Peerbhoy, who was alleged to have been involved in the conspiracy which led to serial blasts and had purportedly sent e-mails to media houses before the explosions.

"Keeping in view that the material on record discloses a prima facie case against the accused (Peerbhoy) and nature and gravity of the charge and severity of punishment in the event of conviction, no case is made out for grant of bail. The bail application of accused Mansoor Asgar Peerbhoy is accordingly dismissed," the court said.

During the arguments on the bail plea, Peerbhoy's counsel had contended that there was no evidence that his client was a part of IM's media cell.

His counsel had also argued that the allegation that Peerbhoy had hacked the wi-fi Internet connection to sent the mails was false and technically impossible.

Special Cell of Delhi Police had opposed his bail petition saying that on September 13, 2008 at about 6.27 pm, IM had sent e-mails to various media organisations regarding the bomb blasts here and immediately thereafter, a blast was reported in an autorickshaw at Karol Bagh.

The serial bomb blasts claimed 26 lives and 135 people were injured.

The court, after hearing the arguments, dismissed the bail plea saying, "The submissions of the counsel for accused (Peerbhoy) would necessarily call for rendering an inference on the evidence collected by police. The evidence on record reveals a prima facie case against the applicant/accused."