13 IM suspects to face trial, 1 acquitted

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A view of a passenger coach Metro train on the high-speed Airport Express Line during a media preview in New Delhi on Saturday.

A city court on Saturday decided to frame charges against 13 suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists allegedly involved in plotting the serial blasts in the capital which claimed 26 lives on September 13, 2008, for waging war against the nation and murder.
The court, however, discharged one accused, Salman, after not finding any material evidence pointing to his involvement in the serial blasts.
“Accused Salman is discharged in all the five cases as there is no material on record to prima facie show his role and involvement in the serial blasts in Delhi,” additional sessions judge (ASJ) Santosh Snehi Mann said.
The order on framing of charges would pave the way for the trial of 13 suspected IM men in the serial blasts case, which claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured.
The court, after hearing the arguments from the prosecution and the defence on framing of charges against the accused, said, “Prima facie offences punishable under Sections 12-A/ 121 (waging war against the nation), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 427 (mischief to property), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and relevant sections of the Explosives Substance Act, the Information Technology Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are made out against the 13 accused.”
The charges will be framed against Mohd Shakeel, Mohd Saif, Zeeshan Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehman, Saquib Nisar, Mohd Sadique, Kayamu-ddin Kapadia, Mohd Hakim, Mohd Mansoor Asghar Peerbhoy, Mubin Kadar Sheikh, Asif Bashiruddin, Mohd Akbar Ismail Chaudhary and Shahzad Ahmed. The court is now likely to frame charges against the accused on February 21.
Five cases were registered in connection with the serial blasts at Gaffar Market, Barakhamba Road, M-Block Market in Greater Kailash and recovery of a bomb near India Gate. The accused were held after an encounter at Batla House on September 19, 2008.