NIA opposes terror suspect Liyaqat's bail plea

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday opposed the bail plea of suspected Hizbul terrorist Liyaqat Shah, who was arrested for allegedly conspiring to carry out terror attacks in the national capital, in a Delhi court which allowed it to take his DNA samples.

The NIA opposed his plea saying that he has been booked under the provisions of stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and for offences under various sections, including waging war against the country, of the Indian Penal Code.

Forty five-year-old Liyaqat was arrested on March 20 while crossing the Indo-Nepal border in Gorakpur with his family. Liyaqat contended that he had come to surrender under the Jammu and Kashmir government's rehabilitation policy.

The Delhi police, which arrested him soon after he had crossed the border, said Liyaqat was involved in the conspiracy to carry out terror attacks in the capital ahead of Holi. During an in-chamber hearing, District Judge I S Mehta allowed NIA's plea and directed it to collect blood and hair samples of Liyaqat tomorrow, court sources said.

During the hearing, the court also reserved its order for May 17 on the bail plea of Liyaqat. Sources said during the arguments, Liyaqat's counsel told the court that his client was returning to India via Sunauli border, one of India-Nepal crossing points near Gorakhpur, to surrender but he was arrested by the special cell of Delhi police on March 20.

Liyaqat's counsel Asim Ali told the court that his client was accompanied with his wife and children when he was arrested and the probe agency has not been able to establish  his links with any crime.

Regarding the alleged recovery of arms and ammunitions from Jama Masjid area here, Liyaqat's counsel said that it was not recovered at his instance as alleged by the special cell. Seeking bail, he said that no substantial evidence has been found against Liyaqat during the investigation till date. The NIA told the court that their investigation in the case was still going on.

The home ministry had on March 28 issued a notification facilitating the NIA to take over the case after his arrest had generated conflicting versions from Delhi and J&K police.