The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court in Mumbai on Saturday passed an order prohibiting the media from publishing anything pertaining to investigations in the serial train blasts here in July 2007.
The order was passed after the Anti-Terrorism Squad approached the court seeking a ban on publishing any story relating to investigations of the case. According to the application, considering the sensitivity of the case and in larger public interest, a prohibitory order on the media should be passed under Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act.
Special MCOCA judge
Y D Shinde accepted the prosecution's arguments and passed a gag order on the media. Media houses telecasting or publishing such material can be prosecuted on criminal charges.
The ATS had on February 21 taken in their custody Mohammad Sadiq Shaikh, alleged founder of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen responsible for blasts in several citiesacross the country. The Mumbai police, which arrested Sadiq along with 20 other alleged IM members, had earlier claimed Sadiq was also involved in Mumbai train blasts. However, the police chargesheet in the IM case did not mention Sadiq's involvement in the train blasts.