Trial in twin blasts case gearing up

The trail against four accused in the twin blast case of August 2007 that left 42 people dead has sped up. The hearing is being held thrice a week at the Cherlapalli Central Prison, after being shifted from the Nampally Court Complex for security reasons.

“The trial in the blast case is being conducted thrice a week in a court hall located on the Cherlapalli Central Prison premises from June 25 onwards,” official sources said.

The Second Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s (MSJ) court had framed charges against Anique Shafiq Syed, Mohammed Sadiq, Akbar Ismail Choudhary and Ansar Ahmed Badhsah Sheikh — all alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives in August 2013.

Subsequently, the trial started and examination and cross-examination of as many as 170 witnesses has been done, the sources said, adding that the trial is expected to be completed in the next two months.

The accused were charged under Section 302 (murder) and other relevant provisions of the IPC and Sections of the Explosive Substances Act in connection with the twin blasts that occurred on August 25, 2007, and also with regard to recovery of an unexploded bomb that was found under a foot-over-bridge at Dilsuknagar.

The IM men are among those arrested by Maharashtra Anti—Terrorism Squad in October 2008 and were later taken into custody by Gujarat police.  

The four are currently lodged in the Cherlapalli Central Prison