NIA Hyderabad arrests Yasin Bhatkal in Dilsukhnagar blast case

Twin blasts were triggered by IEDs planted near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in Dilsukhnagar

Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal was today arrested by NIA Hyderabad in connection with the February 2013 Dilsukhnagar blast case after a Delhi court allowed its plea and granted the probe agency his two-day remand.

Bhatkal was produced before District Judge I S Mehta after expiry of four days of NIA's custody and the probe agency said that he be remanded to judicial custody as it does not require him for further custodial interrogation in connection with the case for carrying out various terror strikes in the country.

However, NIA's Hyderabad unit sought permission to arrest Bhatkal in connection with the Dilsukhnagar blast case and also sought two days transit remand to take him to Hyderabad.

"I have perused the contents of the application filed by senior public prosecutor and the same is allowed. The permission for arresting accused Mohd Ahmed Siddibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal is granted to CIO/SP NIA Hyderabad and two days transit remand is given to NIA Hyderabad," the judge said, directing the NIA Hyderabad's SP to produce Bhatkal in the concerned court there on or before September 23.

The twin blasts had claimed 16 lives and were triggered by IEDs planted near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad on February 21 this year.

Earlier, on September 17, the court had allowed a similar plea of NIA Hyderabad and had sent Bhatkal's close aide Asadullah Akhtar in two days transit remand.

Akhtar was also arrested in connection with the Dilsukhnagar blast case.