By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Mumbai: Special court established to hear Malegaon 2008 blasts case allowed applications of two blast victims to intervene in the bail applications of five accused including Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and Col. Purohit.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Saturday permitted two senior citizens who were injured in the blasts to present their argument in opposing bails to accused in the case.
Two weeks before Abdullah Jamaluddin, an 82-year-old Malegaon resident filed application opposing the bail pleas of Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit and Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi alias Swami Amritanand Dev Tirth whereas Mohammed Hanif Shaikh Chand (63), the second applicant, opposed bail pleas filed by accused Rakesh Dhawade, Ramesh Upadhyay and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur.
These applications were opposed by defense lawyers as well as by the NIA. NIA argued that allowing intervention by victims will undermine the sincerity of prosecution agency. After listening to both sides special NIA court judge Tikawale rejected NIA’s contention and allowed victims to present their argument while deciding bail applications of accused.
After permitting to intervene, Adv. Sharif Shaikh who appeared for one of the victim argued before court that accused are facing strong charges and evidences are available in the charge sheet to prove charges brought out against each accused. He also told court that accused belong to right wing organization Abhinaw Bharat that does not believe in Indian Constitution and have their own flag that they conspired to replace with Indian tri-color flag.
On September 29, 2008 blast had taken place at Bhiku square opposite Shakil Goods Transport Company in a textile town Malegaon. The blast was caused by LML Freedom motorcycle with explosives concealed inside. 4 people had dead and 79 injured due to the blast.
The court has adjourned hearing on bail applications to next week to listen argument of defense.
Special court is hearing bail applications of five accused – Rakesh Dhawade, retired major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi alias Swami Amritanand Dev Tirth after it was constituted on the directions of Supreme Court.
Related:
Malegaon 2008 blast victims apply for intervention to oppose bails of Sadhvi and others