|
Mumbai:
Having failed so far to link Bhatkal resident Abdul Samad to the
German Bakery blast, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday did
not seek his custodial interrogation even in the Mumbai arms haul
case, reports SakaalTimes in its online edition today.
Samad's arrest from Mangalore airport was under the cloud,
especially after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and his
Maharashtra counterpart R R Patil making contradictory statements
over Samad's link to Pune bombing.
According to the English Daily, the ATS did not seek his custodial
interrogation in the 2009 case pertaining to Samad allegedly
supplying firearms to three goons owing allegiance to fugitive
underworld don Chhota Shakeel – following which a local court at
Mazgaon sent him to judicial custody for a fortnight's time.
On the other hand, during his
interrogation, Samad has denied his presence in Pune on February 13,
the day when the bomb was triggered in the bakery located in
the Koregaon Park area.
After his arrest on May 24, Union Home
Minister P Chidambaram had described Samad as “prime suspect” in the
German Bakery blast and identified him as son of Mohammed Zarar
Siddibapa – who hails from Bhatkal, Uttar Kannada, Karnataka.
He even has congratulated the ATS, Pune police and central agencies
for the “breakthrough”.
Anami Roy, who retired as Director
General of Police, last week during his visit to Pune, had
categorically said that Samad has not been arrested in the
Pune case – though he said that cops had made a breakthrough in the
German Bakery case.
When on Tuesday, Samad, 22, was
produced before Metropolitan Magistrate M V Morale, who presides
over a local court at Mazgaon, the ATS, made it clear that his
custodial interrogation was not required, following which he was
sent to judicial custody till June 14.
The ATS also did not press for his
interrogation in the German Bakery blast case.
The court, however, rejected the bail application of Samad and asked
his lawyer to move the Sessions Court.
Samad's lawyer Mobin Solkar contended that the ATS so far hasn't
been able to establish Samad's role in the Pune blast case.
Solkar said that when he met Samad,
the latter told him that he was asked by the ATS about his
whereabouts on February 13 when the blasts took place.
“He has
replied that he was in Bhatkal with his uncle Yakub,” SakaalTimes
quoted Solkar as telling to
newspersons.
Solkar further added that no evidence
has been found against Samad in the Pune blast case and he has not
been booked in the blast case, so far.
Samad's bail was turned down by the
court citing that it was a serious offence and that the
investigations were still in progress.
Samad was arrested from Mangalore on
May 24 for allegedly supplying fire arms to three other accused last
year. In August 2009, three persons - Haji Mohamed, Afzal Sheikh
alias Lala and Suleiman Patel - aides of Chota Shakeel were
arrested from south Mumbai for possession of illegal firearms which,
according to the ATS, were supplied by Samad. The case has been
registered under Arms Act.
|
Maharashtra ignores Gafoor, appoints his junior as DGP: 
Gujarat
HC upholds death sentence in Akashardham attack case: 
Fed up of
militancy: Majority of Kashmiris respond in a survey: 
'AMU
National Centres aimed at providing dignified existence to minorities': 
PM urged
to drop P Chidambaram from cabinet : 
Istanbul:
A
city with skyline specked with minarates and domes: 
Majority
of Kashmiris against joining Pakistan: 
Gaza
facing a humanitarian disaster: UN expert: 
Sibal,
Khurshid differ over minority status to Jamia Milia Islamia: 
Comment on this article