Mumbai train blasts: MCOCA court rejects Ansari's bail plea

A designated court today rejected the interim bail plea of an accused in the July 2006 Mumbai train blasts, citing absence of any provision under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for permanent or temporary liberty.
The court, rejecting interim bail application filed by Mohammed Sajid Marghoob Ansari, however, on humanitarian grounds, allowed him to visit his ailing mother for six hours tomorrow with an escort, provided he deposits Rs 10,000 as fees.
On July 11, 2006, RDX laden bombs ripped first class compartments of seven suburban trains killing 209 people and injuring 700.
Ansari had applied for the interim relief for four weeks to meet his mother who he claimed is on deathbed in a suburban hospital.

He also promised to surrender to the custody and face further proceedings, besides assuring to comply with each and every condition decided by the court.
However, designated Judge of MCOCA court Y D Shinde rejected the application.

Defence counsel Shahid Nadeem Ansari of Jamiat-Ulama-e- Maharashtra (Arshad Madani) argued that "Ansari had been languishing in jail for more than six years without committing, abetting or participating in any crime, in any manner knowingly and unknowingly".
Incidentally, Ansari's sister had died last year and he could not attend her funeral despite the court order as the escort party had reached late at prison to take him there, sources said.

Prosecutor Raja Thakre opposed the bail plea citing absence of a provision in MCOCA for bail or interim bail.
He further said that if Ansari wanted to visit his mother, he may be allowed to go with an escort party for three hours from 12 noon to 3 pm.
Since Ansari was unable to pay the escort fee of Rs 10,000, the Jamiat Ulama E Maharashtra deposited the amount on his behalf to facilitate his visit to his mother tomorrow.