Judgment Day for ’03 blasts accused

The three being tried are Ashrat Ansari (32),Sayed Anees (46) and his wife Fehmida Sayed (43).

Three other suspects were discharged later,while a fourth has turned approver. Mohammed Ansari Ladoowala and Mohammed Hasan Batterywala,were given a clean chit by a POTA review committee; Farheen,a juvenile when arrested,was discharged for lack of evidence.

Jahid Patni turned approver and helped the prosecution with information on the LeT’s involvement,said special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

The three being tried have been in custody since 2003. They are charged under various sections of POTA. They have also been booked under various IPC sections,including those for conspiracy,murder and attempt to murder.

The police chargesheet,filed on February 5,2004,blames the accused of conspiring with the LeT to trigger a series of blasts in the city,at Ghatkopar on July 28 and at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar in August.

The prosecution examined 104 witnesses,seeking to establish a link between the accused and the LeT.