Bhatkal, aide in police custody in 2008 terror attack case

Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal was today remanded in police custody till January 3 by a local court after the Delhi Police said it wanted to take him to Karnataka to unravel the conspiracy behind the September 13, 2008 serial blasts here.

Bhatkal was produced before the court after expiry of his remand by the special cell of Delhi police which sought extension of his custody saying it needed to further interrogate him.

Meanwhile, Bhatkal's close aide Asadullah Akhtar was also produced before Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash and the special cell sought his custody in an another case related to the September 13, 2008 terror attacks.

The court allowed the plea and remanded both Bhatkal and Akhtar to police custody till January 3 next year.

The police told the court that both the accused were required to be interrogated to know about the whereabouts of some of the absconding members of the banned terror outfit.

They both were in police custody till today in connection with the September 13, 2008 blast at Karol Bagh here.

Several bomb blasts had rocked the national capital on that day claiming 26 lives and leaving 135 people injured.

Five cases were lodged in connection with the September 13, 2008 serial 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.

13 suspected IM members are presently facing trial in the 2008 serial blasts cases. Among the 13 accused, five men were arrested after an encounter with police at Batla House here on September 19, 2008.