Court to frame charges against 13 accused in 2008 Delhi blasts

A Delhi court on Saturday decided to frame charges against 13 suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists involved in plotting serial blasts in the national capital which claimed 26 lives on September 13, 2008.

However, one of the accused, Salman was discharged with Additional Sessions Judge Santosh Snehi Mann saying there was no material evidence pointing to his involvement in the blasts.

"Accused Salman is discharged in all the five cases as there is no material on record to prima-facie show his role and involvement in the serial blasts in Delhi," the court said.

Besides the killing of 26 persons, the blasts had left 135 people injured. The court will frame the charges against the accused on February 21.

The charges will be framed against Mohd Shakeel, Mohd Saif, Zeeshan Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehaman, Saquib Nisar, Mohd Sadique, Kayamuddin Kapadia, Mohd Hakim, Mohd Mansoor Ashgar Peerbhoy, Mubin Kadar Sheikh, Asif Bashiruddin, Mohd Akbar Ismail Chaudhary and Shahzad Ahmed.

Out of the 13 accused, 11 are now lodged in Sabarmati Jail in Ahmedabad for their alleged involvement in the blasts there.

Five cases were registered in connection with the serial blasts at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place, M-Block Market in Greater Kailash and recovery of bomb near India Gate.

Among the 14 accused, five men were arrested by Delhi police following an encounter at Batla House in New Delhi on September 19, 2008.

All the five cases have been clubbed by the court for the purpose of framing of charges and trial saying that "they arise from the series of same transaction".

Of the remaining, four were apprehended by the Mumbai police, three by the Uttar Pradesh police and one each by Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh police.

Delhi police have registered the case under various provisions of different laws, including anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The court said "prima facie offences punishable under sections 121A/121 (waging war against the nation), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 427 (mischief to property) read with 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and relevant sections of the Explosives Substance Act, the Information Technology Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are made out against the 13 accused".