After dithering for a month, the Maharashtra government finally conceded that the Mumbai Police did not have sufficient evidence to charge Saquib Nachen, a key accused in the Mumbai blasts of 2002-2003, and eight others under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).This is the second time in a month that the state has dropped POTA charges against an accused arrested for blasts — the last one being on February 5 when Farheen Hanif, a minor, was let off. Farheen’s parents, Sayeed Mohammad Hanif and Fahimeeda, were arrested as the main conspirators, while the girl was made a co-accused in Black Monday blasts. Charges have been dropped against Nachen for the first Ghatkopar blast that took place in a BEST bus at Ghatkopar on December 2, 2002. Two people were killed and several others were injured. The 1,873-page supplementary chargesheet against Nachen and others didn’t have details of the evidence against him. Though police claimed he was the main conspirator, there was no material evidence on record.The prosecution has dropped POTA charges against eight others as well, on the same grounds. However, being discharged will not affect Nachen’s current status. He will continue to be in judicial custody as he is charged under POTA in connection with three other blasts in 2003.
