NIA gets 15-day custody of Asadullah Akhtar

Asadullah Akhtar, an alleged close associate of banned terror group Indian Mujahideen's co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, was today remanded to 15-day custody of the National Investigation Agency in the Hyderabad twin bomb blasts case by a court here.

Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, an alleged close associate of banned terror group Indian Mujahideen's co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, was on Thursday remanded to 15-day custody of the National Investigation Agency in the Hyderabad twin bomb blasts case by a court in Hyderabad.

Akhtar was produced by NIA amid heavy security in the court of First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge here.

After his production, the court first remanded Akthar to a 30-day judicial custody. Then NIA filed an application seeking 15-day custodial interrogation, saying that he was a part of a larger conspiracy against the country and a threat to the nation.

NIA said there was a need for a thorough interrogation to get more information on his role in terror acts.

After arguments and counter-arguments, the court in the evening allowed NIA's application, with the condition that he should be examined by doctors every 48-hours and allowed to meet his lawyer once a day.

Mediapersons were not allowed inside the courtroom during the proceedings.

Seventeen people were killed and 100 others were injured in the blasts near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in Dilsukhnagar, a crowded shopping area in the city, on February 21 this year.

Bhatkal and Asadullah were arrested by security agencies on the Indo-Nepal border last month.