In a move designed to send out a clear message to the Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, the Akhilesh Yadav government is toying with the possibility of withdrawing cases against two alleged Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI) operatives — Tariq Kazmi of Azamgarh and Khalid Mujahid of Jaunpur — both of whom who are accused in the 2007 Lucknow and Faizabad court blast cases.
According to sources, the state law department had been asked to study the cases pending against Tariq and Khalid and give its opinion about possible withdrawal of cases. The ATS, which is the investigating agency in the cases, will also be asked to provide the details about evidence, witnesses and the court proceedings before the final decision is taken.
It may be recalled that during its election campaign, the Samajwadi Party had promised to withdraw false cases set up on terror issues against Muslim youth. Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav had met the relatives of the two accused in the court blast cases and had assured them that justice will be done.
Both Tariq and Khalid are presently lodged in the Lucknow jail and the chargesheet against them has been filed in the court where the trial is under way.
Tariq Kazmi of Azamgarh and Khalid of Jaunpur were allegedly arrested by the Special Task Force from outside the Barabanki railway station on December 20, 2007.
The STF had reportedly seized 1.250 kg RDX, six detonators, three cellphones and two SIM cards from them.
***
Envoy attack case: warrant against iranian
Age Correspondent
NEW DELHI, APRIL 5
An arrest warrant has been sent by India to the Malaysian authorities for Iranian national Masoud Sedaghatzdeh seeking his production before a court here in connection with the attack on an Israeli diplomat here in February.
Sedaghatzdeh is currently in prison in Malaysia. He was arrested for the failed bombing plan in Bangkok, Thailand. The dispatch of the arrest warrant was confirmed by sources in the ministry of external affairs, which has been handed over to the Malaysians through diplomatic channels.
The request refers to the in-principle agreement between India and Malaysia to establish a mechanism for cooperation on counter-terrorism. While India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty, they are in the process of inking a mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters.
The arrest warrant was issued by chief metropolitan magistrate Vinod Yadav on March 17 after the special cell of the Delhi police alleged that he was also involved in the conspiracy of the blast. A red corner notice has also been issued by the Interpol for Sedaghatzadeh.