21 youth acquitted in sedition case in Hyderabad

A sessions court in Hyderabad acquitted 21 youth on Wednesday, who were booked on charges of waging war against the state and viewing jihadi material.

The sessions court at Nampally, Hyderabad found no evidence against the 21 members and ordered their acquittal.

Dr Junaid, Raeez, Abdur Rahim, Jawed, Arshad and others were arrested by the Hyderabad police on August 31 2007 when they were allegedly viewing CDs of the Godhra incident and also the Babri Masjid demolition at the Kala Pattar graveyard.

After arresting them, the police charged the youth under Section 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code. The allegation by the police was they were viewing Jihadi content and also had plans of waging a war against the state. The role of these youth in the Hyderabad twin blasts was also probed.

During the course of the matter, 18 members managed to obtain bail while three remained in jail. The counsel for the youth argued that a false case had been foisted on the youth and the case of the police was not factual in nature. The counsel also argued that the youth had been illegally detained and the entire case was aimed at targeting a particular community.

The court expressed satisfaction with the arguments and ordered the acquittal of all 21 people.