In a supplementary chargesheet filed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on August 14 in the July triple blasts case, the ATS had stated that Yasin Bhatkal, the mastermind of the blasts, had attended several Muslim community meetings in Darbhanga to identify the potential of the youth who could be trained.
Several witnesses in their statements, that are part of the chargesheet, said that Bhatkal had attended such meetings several times.
The witnesses also claimed that Bhatkal taught people the “real meaning” of the Quran in mosques.
Two witnesses in the case, whose names were truncated in the supplementary chargesheet, have mentioned how they were acquainted with Bhatkal. They said that they had stayed together but Bhatkal never revealed his real intentions.
He, however, always spoke that Muslims were the victims of torture by the state authorities and therefore wanted to teach a lesson.
Sarfaraz, son of Kafeel Ansari, an accused in the 13/7 blast case, said that he had met Bhatkal in Darbhanga, who according to him was there to construct mobile towers. As Bhatkal preached the Quran, he was a regular at the Noor Masjid, said Sarfaraz.
The police said that Bhatkal aimed at instigating the youth through his speeches in Darbangha and provoked them to carry out acts of terrorism like bomb blasts under the name of jihad.