Cops seek extension of time to complete probe against Lashkar-e-Taiba men

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police today moved a court here seeking extension of time to complete its probe against some suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives who were arrested for their alleged involvement in planning terror strikes in Delhi and adjoining areas.

The agency filed an application in this regard before Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh who extended till October 17 the judicial custody of alleged LeT members Abdul Subhan and his nephew Asahbuddin arrested in connection with the case.

The court would also hear the arguments on the plea filed by the police on October 17.

Subhan and Asahbuddin were produced before the court on expiry of their judicial custody.

Police had earlier filed its charge sheet against Mohd Rashid and Mohd Shahid who were arrested in December last year from Haryana's Mewat region in connection with the case.

With their arrest, police had claimed to have unearthed a terror module of LeT which was at an "advanced stage" of planning a major strike in Delhi.

Subhan was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police on May 20 while Asahbuddin, who was serving life term in Kolkata for his role in the Partha Roy Burman kidnapping case of 2001, was arrested here on May 27 after he was brought from there.

Police had claimed that absconding top LeT commander Javed Baluchi, who is based in Pakistan, was the "kingpin" of the entire conspiracy while Pakistani national Arshad Khan, co-accused in the case, was in touch with him.

Arshad was arrested on August 13 after being produced before the court here from Kolkata jail where he was lodged in connection with Burman kidnapping case.

A charge sheet was filed against Rashid and Shahid on May 8 and they were charged with offences of criminal conspiracy under IPC and provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Rashid and Shahid are now in judicial custody.

Regarding Baluchi, police had said intelligence agencies had provided information in November last year that he was contacted on his Pakistani mobile number from Rajasthan and there were conversations regarding a conspiracy to carry out a terror strike in India.