HC admits state’s appeal against Imam

The Bombay High Court on Monday admitted Maharash-tra government's appeal against the acquittal of Ghulam Yahya Baksh, the Imam of Haj House, on the charges harbouring terrorists. The Sewri fast track court had earlier acquitted Yahya for allegedly harbouring three Kashmiri militants.

The Bombay High Court on Monday admitted Maharash-tra government's appeal against the acquittal of Ghulam Yahya Baksh, the Imam of Haj House, on the charges harbouring terrorists. The Sewri fast track court had earlier acquitted Yahya for allegedly harbouring three Kashmiri militants.

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The court also admitted the appeal filed by the ATS seeking enhancement of punishment of three Kashmiri militants – Mohammed Ramzan Abdul Wahab Haji, 61, Khurshid Ahmed Abdul Gani Lone, 32, and Arshad Hussain Badru, 29.

Justice Rekha Sondur-Baldota also rejected the bail of the three alleged Kashmiri militants.

Special ATS prosecutor Raja Thakarehad argued that the three Kashmiris convicted for having connections with the Lashkar-e-Toiba and for planning to carry out bomb blasts in Mumbai had come to city “to create terrorism” and to “kill innocent people”. Hence, they should not be released on bail.

The alleged Kashmiri militants were arrested on January 6, 2006, from Nagpada for planning to carry out blasts in the city.