Sachin-Sourav kidnap plot: sanction to prosecute HUJI men taken

The prosecution told a Delhi court that it had secured the sanction to prosecute six alleged Harkat-ul-jehadi Islami (HUJI) terrorists accused of plotting to kidnap cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.

The prosecution on Thursday told a Delhi court that it had secured the sanction to prosecute six alleged Harkat-ul-jehadi Islami (HUJI) terrorists accused of plotting to kidnap cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.

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"The sanction required for prosecuting the accused under stingent laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), the Explosives Substances Act were duly taken from the Lt Governor Delhi," Public prosecutor Anita Hooda told Additional Sessions Judge Pinki.

The accused, who had also planned to kill APJ Abdul Kalam, the then Scientific Advisor to the Defence Ministry, during his trip to Patna in 2001, have righlty been booked under stringent laws, the prosecutor said while advancing final arguments in the case.

The Lt Governor was empowered to grant the sanction following the Centre's delegation of power in this regard, she said.

The plot to abduct cricketers did not fructify in 2002 as the alleged terrorists assigned the task could not get logistical support, she had claimed during earlier hearing.