It, however, ruled out that for the purpose of decision of this case it hardly matters whether accused was affiliated to IM or not.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: As a Delhi court found Shahzad Ahmed guilty in the Batla House encounter case on charges of obstructing public servants in discharge of duties, murder of Inspector MC Sharma and attempt to murder, it has been hailed by many as ‘victory’ of the police version that claimed to have broken the backbone of Indian Mujahedeen with the 2008 Batla House ‘operation’.
However, the court found no evidence to prove that Shahzad had any link with Indian Mujahedeen or any other terror outfit. Defence counsel Satish Tamta had argued, “As per the prorsecution, the occupants of flat 108 including accused Shahzad were active members of Indian Muzahiddin but this fact has not been proved on file.”
Additional Sessions Judge Rajender Kumar Shastri seemed to have agreed to this as the prosecution failed to provide any clinching evidence. The honourable judge noted, “True, there is no evidence on record to establish that fact.”
However, it concurred, “At the same time this cannot be expected to endeavour in giving any finding about said fact,” adding, “for the purpose of decision of this case it hardly matters as to whether accused was affiliated to Indian Muzahiddin or not.”
The Additional Sessions Judge has set July 29, Monday at 2.0 pm to deliver the quantum of punishment.