A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Hyderabad convicted two Indian Mujahideen (IM) operatives- MD Akbar Ismail Chowdhari and Aneeq Shafique Sayeed in the Lumbini park- Gokul Chat twin blasts case that happened 11-years ago in the city.
The Two blasts had occurred at Gokul Chat eatery in Koti and the laser show auditorium at Lumbini Park around 7.45 pm on August 25, 2007. While 32 people were killed at Gokul Chat, 10 lost their lives at Lumbini Park. More than 50 were injured. An unexploded bomb was also recovered from Dilsukhnagar that night.
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Telangana Police had investigated the case and arrested five accused, Akbar Ismail Chowdhari, Aneeq Shafique Sayeed, Farooq Sharfuddin Tarkash, Mohammed Sadiq Israr Ahmed Shaik and Tarik Anjum, all alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives.
Seven persons were named as accused in this twin terror blast case, out of which three- Indian Mujahideen founder Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal and Amir Reza Khan are absconding.
The court has acquitted Farooq Sharfuddin Tarqash and MD Sadiq Israr Shaik citing lack of evidence on these two.
Speaking to the media, K Surender, a counsel representing the investigating agency said , “The court has convicted two of the four accused who were charged in the twin blasts case. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Monday.”
According to the prosecution, the bombs at Lumbini Park were planted by Aneeq while Riyaz Bhatkal planned and executed the Gokul Chat blast. The bomb planted by Ismail Chowdhari, failed to explode.
The agencies have filed three different chargesheets in connection with the blast cases.
T Srinivasa Rao, the in-charge judge of IInd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, pronounced the pronounced at a special court set up inside Cherlapally jail. Earlier on August 27, Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge postponed the judgment in the case to September 4.
The judgement against another accused Tariq Anjum, charged by the Counter Intelligence Cell, for providing shelter in New Delhi for the IM operatives is scheduled on Monday.
