Judge who delivered verdict in Mecca Masjid blast case resigns, cites personal reasons | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Judge who delivered verdict in Mecca Masjid blast case resigns, cites personal reasons

Press Trust of India, Hyderabad | ByPress Trust of India
Apr 16, 2018 07:58 PM IST

Special NIA court judge K Ravinder Reddy acquitted five men accused of being involved in the Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad that killed nine people on May 18, 2007.

The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court judge of Hyderabad K Ravinder Reddy resigned on Monday, barely hours after acquitting the five accused in the Mecca Masjid blast case, a senior judicial officer said.

NIA judge K Ravinder Reddy who delivered verdict in Mecca Masjid blast case resigned on Monday.(ANI Photo)
NIA judge K Ravinder Reddy who delivered verdict in Mecca Masjid blast case resigned on Monday.(ANI Photo)

Reddy handed over his resignation to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Reddy cited personal reasons for his resignation, and said it had nothing to do with today’s judgement.

He said, he was considering resigning for quite some time, the senior official told PTI.

Earlier in the day, the special anti-terrorism court acquitted five men accused of being involved in the Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad that killed nine people on May 18, 2007.

The NIA court cited lack of evidence against Swami Aseemanand, former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker from Rajasthan Devendra Gupta, two other former RSS workers --Lokesh Sharma and Rajender Chowdhary --from Madhya Pradesh and Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar, who was allegedly a close associate of Aseemanand.

NIA said all the accused belonged to a group of Hindu extremists led by another RSS worker Sunil Joshi who was shot dead on December 29, 2007, in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas town. Since Joshi died before the chargesheet was filed, his name was not sent up for trial.

Three others: former RSS worker Sandeep Dange and RSS activist Ramachandra Kalsangra, an electrician, and Amit Chouhan are absconding.

The blast, during Friday prayers, injured 58 people. Five more were killed in police firing in violence that followed the blast.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over the case from local police, and the NIA later interrogated 226 witnesses.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On