Pune ATS files report over IM moule's death in jail

In its three-page report submitted to the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav, the Pune ATS explained as to why Siddiqui, who had been arrested by the Delhi police for his alleged role in several terror cases, including the Pune German Bakery blast, was not produced before him after the expiry of his custody with them.

The report also explained as to why he was kept in Pune's Yerwada Jail even as Siddique's counsel M S Khan said the report shows a foul play leading to his client's killing.

"Contrary to the earlier reports that Siddique was found strangled early morning on June 8 just before he was to be taken to the Pune court, the report reveals that the court had on June 8 ordered that he be taken to Delhi court. How can a court pass an order without his attendance before it?" Khan said.

The report has been filed as per the CMM's June 21 order asking the Pune ATS to explain as to why Siddiqui was not produced before him within a period of four weeks from the date of handing over his custody to them and why he was kept in jail.

The report added that Siddiqui was taken to Pune on May 2 and was formally arrested on May 3 after he was produced before a local court there which remanded him in police custody till May 11. His custody was further extended till May 21 and then till May 28.

The Pune ATS report said the CMM's court and the Tihar Jail authorities were apprised of all the proceedings in Pune through fax letters.

On May 28, his custody was sought to be extended by Pune ATS for holding test identification parade for which necessary permission was obtained and Siddiqui was sent to Yerwada Jail, Pune along with officer and staff of Pune ATS and was handed over to the jail authorities.

"The jail authorities were informed about the details of the accused previous cases, his criminal background and he was kept in high security zone at the Yerwada Prison," the report said.

"On May 31, this court was informed by fax dated May 31 that accused Siddiqui will be produced before the CMM's court after the identification parade."

On May 31, TIP was conducted but one witness could not turn up due to sickness and "in order to send the accused to Delhi, officers and staff were detailed for escort duty and reservations were made accordingly."

"On June 8, an application was made before the Pune court requesting for granting permission to take the accused to Delhi for producing him before this court and necessary orders to that effect were obtained," the report said.