Plot to kill Kalam: POTA court frames charges against 9

A POTA court today framed charges against six Pakistani militants and three of their Indian associates for hatching a conspiracy to kill President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and abduct cricketers Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar. Accused along with the HUJI activists is Aftab Ansari prime accused in the American Center shootout at Kolkata. The militants had also planned to attack the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, and other vital installations in Delhi.

However, Special Judge S.N. Dhingra did not frame charges against the two other accused Aftab Ansari and Mohammad Jalalludin — declared proclaimed offender — as trial against them would be held separately after the conclusion of the trial in the Kolkata case.

Dhingra today framed charges against Tariq Mehmood, Ashahaq Ahmed, Mohammad Amran, Mohammad Ashraf, Abdul Majid and Arshed Khan (all Pakistani nationals) and Mufti Mohammad Asrar, Gulam Mohammad Dar and Gulam Qadir Bhat (Indians) under POTA, the IPC , Arms Act, the Explosive Substances act.

Several POTA sections were imposed against Abdul Majid for channellng hawala money into India and buying land with proceeds of terrorism. Charges were also framed against Dar and Bhat for receiving the hawala amount. The six Pakistani nationals have also been charged under the Foreigner’s Act for entering India without valid documents. The accused pleaded not guilty and prayed for trial.