‘Won’t depend on Bhatkal’s statement’

Even though captured IM terrorist Yasin Bhatkal has claimed responsibility for the German Bakery bombings, casting a doubt on the involvement of lone death row convict Himayat Baig in the 2010 Pune blast, the latter seems confident enough of getting a clean chit even without Bhatkal’s statement. Mohan K Korappath reports.

Even though captured IM terrorist Yasin Bhatkal has claimed responsibility for the German Bakery bombings, casting a doubt on the involvement of lone death row convict Himayat Baig in the 2010 Pune blast, the latter seems confident enough of getting a clean chit even without Bhatkal’s statement.

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We have already filed our application for a reinvestigation and retrial in the case, said Baig’s lawyer Mehmeood Pracha.

Pracha explained that although Bhatkal’s statement vindicates their stand, they are not depending on it for their case. “We have enough evidence to prove Baig’s innocence. Bhatkal’s statement is just a bonus,” he said.

When his appeal against the conviction comes up for hearing on September 23, Baig will argue for a reinvestigation and retrial, especially since the Delhi police special cell, in their charge sheet, mentioned that slain convict Quateel Siddiqui was with Yasin and not Baig.

Besides, said Pracha, the NIA is still investigating the case and we have enough evidence from the trial court to implicate the Maharashtra ATS for allegedly framing Baig.

Pracha contended that while the ATS probed the case initially, the NIA later took over the case along with several other blast cases, and in four cases the NIA has negated the findings of the ATS.

On February 13, 2010 a bomb exploded inside the bakery killing 17 persons including five foreigners and injuring 58 others.