Arms haul case: Charges against Jundal to be framed in Jan

A local court is likely to frame charges against lashkar-e-Tayiba operative and key 26/11 handler Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal next month in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case.

"The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court has issued production warrant against Jundal for January 9 and charges are likely to be framed on that date," said Jundal's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi.

The production warrant was issued after Jundal told the court that he wanted to talk to his lawyer before the framing of charges, Naqvi said. Jundal was produced in the court via video link from Tihar jail on Wednesday.

The special court asked Jundal if he wanted to say anything before framing of charges, his lawyer said. At this, Jundal said that he wanted to talk to the lawyer before the charges are framed.

Meanwhile special public prosecutor Raja Takare told the court that charges under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosives Act, Explosives Substance Act, Indian Penal Code and MCOCA were maintained against Jundal.

When the court told the official of the Tihar jail, who also appeared via video link, to produce Jundal on January 9, he told the court that Jundal was in the custody of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court, Delhi, and he cannot be sent to Mumbai without his direction.