Jama Masjid attack case: Hearing against Bhatkal fixed for May 24

Special Cell of Delhi Police had recently filed a charge sheet against two top IM men under various sections of IPC

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

A court here today fixed May 24 for hearing a case against Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his aide Asadullah Akhtar who were chargesheeted by the Delhi Police in connection with the September 2010 Jama Masjid terror attack case.

Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash posted the matter for May 24 after the counsel appearing for both the accused said that scrutiny of documents filed along with the charge sheet was going on.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police had recently filed a charge sheet against the two top IM men under various sections of IPC including sections 307 (attempt to murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act.

The police had claimed in the charge sheet that IM's India operations chief Yasin Bhatkal was instructed by Pakistan-based handlers to carry out terror attacks just before the beginning of 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) which were held in Delhi.

It had said the conspiracy for the attack was hatched to "dissuade foreign nations from participating in the same (CWG) and to portray the image of India, the host nation, as a weak and disturbed nation".

The police claimed that Bhatkal had planned to carry out the terror strike at Jama Masjid here and on September 19, 2010, IM operatives opened fire at tourists deboarding a bus near gate number 3 of the mosque. Two Taiwanese tourists had sustained bullet injuries.

Bhatkal had also planted a pressure cooker IED in a car outside the Jama Masjid and a mild explosion had taken place after the firing incident, it said.

Bhatkal and Akhtar were arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Indo-Nepal border on the night of August 28, last year. They were wanted for their roles in a string of terror attacks in the country.