Father of Mulund blast accused moves court

Abdul Hamid Nachan has moved the Bombay High Court seeking a declaration that his son Saquib, an accused in the Mulund railway blast case, is not a terrorist.

Abdul Hamid Nachan has moved the Bombay High Court seeking a declaration that his son Saquib, an accused in the Mulund railway blast case, is not a terrorist.

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Apprehending that the trial, currently stayed by the Supreme Court, may not conclude before his death, the 85-year-old Padgha resident has sought the declaration saying he wants to die with dignity.

His lawyer, Sushan Kunjuraman said the 16 people arrested for the Mulund, Vile Parle and Mumbai Central blasts were part of two distinct groups having absolutely no connection.

He said the petitioner contends that Saquib was part of the group that had nothing to do with the blasts.

Saquib has been charged with offences including arranging arms training for Muslim youth, collecting funds for the training, and providing shelter to the now dead Pakistani terrorist, Irfan alias Faizal Khan for four months, from December 2002 to March 2003.

Kunjuraman argued that all the charges are under the Indian Penal Code and have nothing to do with the Prevention of Terrorism Activities Act, under which all 16 accused have been booked.