Interpol to assist Indian Government, set to issue notice against Hafiz Saeed

New Delhi, Aug.23 (ANI): The Indian Government has reportedly approached Interpol and requested it to issue a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

Sources said that they expect the RCN to be issued some time next week, possibly by Tuesday.

The request from New Delhi is reported to have been made in the wake of a Pakistan court ordering the release of Saeed from nine months of house arrest on grounds that there was insufficient evidence to detain him in connection with his role in the 26/11 massacre in Mumbai that claimed nearly 170 lives and maimed more than 300.

Officials in New Delhi are reportedly of the view that Saeed should be chargesheeted and prosecuted for masterminding the Mumbai carnage on the basis of the six documents of evidence that they have handed over to the Pakistan Government through diplomatic channels.

Government sources said that the CBI, which acts as the nodal agency for all dealings with Interpol, has already written to the world police body, based on the 26/11 chargesheet, to get an RCN issued against Saeed who was let off by the Lahore High Court as Islamabad didn’t press charges against him.

Interpol issues an RCN against any accused after it receives all information and evidence against him from the country in which the crime has been committed.

The RCN will be issued on the basis of the non-bailable warrant issued against Saeed by a Mumbai court earlier and also all the evidences gathered against him by the Mumbai police.

According to the Mumbai police, Saeed is among the 35 people who provided training to all the terrorists who executed 26/11.

Pakistan has defended its refusal to act against Saeed by saying that India has not given evidence against him. (ANI)

CBI files 5000-page chargesheet against Padamsinh Patil

Mumbai, Aug 20(ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday submitted a 5000-page chargesheet, in which it named suspended Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Padamsinh Patil as the prime accused and conspirator in the 2006 murder of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimabalkar.

“The charge sheet, filed in a Panvel court, includes the statements of 181 witnesses and over 200 documents alleging the involvement of Patil and others in the crime,” said P Kandaswamy, the head of CBI’s Mumbai Zone.

In the chargesheet, the CBI alleged that Patil hatched the conspiracy to murder Nimbalkar due to political rivalry, as he nursed a suspicion that Nimabalkar had challenged his (Patil’s) survival in politics.

It also said that Patil had paid a ‘supari’ (contract killing) of Rs 30 lakh to the other accused to eliminate Nimbalkar.

The murder of Nimbalkar and his driver took place at a Navi Mumbai croosing on June 3, 2006.

The police had made no progress for two years until the city crime branch arrested jeweller Parasmal Jain in a robbery case. Jain disclosed the murder conspiracy and was handed over to the CBI. Patil was arrested on June 6 this year.

The other accused, who were charge sheeted are Jain, Satish Mandade, Mohan Shukla, Dinesh Tiwari, Kailash Yadav and Pintoo Singh. (ANI)

Mayawati Government gives permission to file chargesheet against Varun

New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Government on Friday has given permission to file chargesheet against BJP MP Varun Gandhi for his ‘hate speech’ in Pilibhit.

The BJP MP is currently out on bail.

With reports of Mayawati Government considering the possibility of setting up a fast track court to expedite the trial, the BJP MP would need all his luck to get out of the problem this time.

For records, On June 25, a letter seeking permission to prosecute Varun under Section 153A of the IPC in cases pending against him in the CJM court was dispatched by Pilibhit administration to state home department (153A deals with acts designed to spread enmity between two sections of society).

UP police on March 17 had registered an FIR against BJP’s Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit under section 153A for allegedly making inflammatory remarks with communal overtones.

Earlier, a petition was filed today in the Allahabad High Court questioning the election of Varun Gandhi to the Lok Sabha form the Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.

V M Singh, the Congress candidate who is the maternal uncle of Varun Gandhi, the loser in the recently concluded general election, has filed this petition.

Varun Gandhi had gained the votes by spreading hatred about a particular community by making inflammatory speeches, said Singh’s advocate U N Sharma.

Singh alleged that Varun’s mode of campaigning amounted corrupt practice as per section 123(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act.

Varun made his electoral debut from Pilibhit, which was earlier, represented by his mother Maneka Gandhi. Varun was arrested under National Security Act for allegedly making hate speeches in an election rally in Pilibhit. (ANI)

Vijayan summoned by special CBI court in corruption case

Kochi, June 23 (ANI): The CBI court on Tuesday issued summons to Kerala CPI (M) State Secretary and former minister Pinarayi Vijayan and eight others in the SNC Lavalin corruption case.

On June 11, the CBI had filed a chargesheet against Vijayan in connection to the SNC Lavalin case in which he is named as the seventh accused.

Vijayan is the first Politburo member to be prosecuted in a corruption case.

As Kerala Power Minister in 1997, Vijayan allegedly had inked a deal with Canadian firm SNC Lavalin to renovate three power projects in the state.

In 2001, the Assembly Subject Committee found that the deal with Lavalin had caused huge losses to the Government.

A CAG report said the state lost 374.5 crore rupees in the deal.

According to the CBI, Vijayan allegedly colluded with others in a criminal conspiracy to favour the firm SNC Lavalin.

The 10-page chargesheet and documents running into 3,000 pages were submitted to special judge P A Jyothindra Nath by CBI Deputy SP Ashok Kumar.

Vijayan has been charged under sections 420 and 120 (B) of the IPC and sections 13 (2) and 13 (1B) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. (ANI)

Supreme Court grants bail to Binayek Sen

New Delhi, May 25 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Chhattisgarh human rights activist Binayak Sen, who has been charged of aiding and abetting Naxal activities in Chattisgarh and was lodged in a jail for the past 22 months.

Sen has been in custody since May 2007, and he had contended that there was no evidence against him to be booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The Chhattisgarh Government has accused Sen, who is the vice-president of the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), of acting as a courier for an alleged Naxalite who is in jail.

Earlier, Sen had filed a bail petition for an urgent hearing.

The Supreme Court Vacation Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and Deepak Vermahad had said that the matter would be listed for hearing on May 25, after senior advocate Shanti Bhushan mentioned Sen’s petition in which a notice was issued to the Chhattisgarh government.

After the notice, a Bench headed by Justice D. K. Jain had directed the state government to provide medical aid to Sen, who has been suffering from heart ailments.

He had sought bail on medical grounds, saying that he had been suffering from a heart ailment and needs treatment at the Christian Medical College in Tamil Nadu. Sen, a doctor by profession, had also sought bail on the ground that the chargesheet against him has already been filed and he has remained in jail during the investigation of the case registered against him. (ANI)

SC issues notice to Chhattisgarh Govt. on detention of rights activist

Raipur, May. 4 (ANI): The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Chhattisgarh Government questioning the detention of civil rights activist Binayak Sen.

Sen has been languishing in jail for the last 22 months on charges of aiding and abetting naxalite activities in the state.

Acting on the bail petition filed by the civil right activist, a Bench headed by Justice D K Jain also asked the state government to provide medical aid to Sen, who has been suffering from heart ailments.

The state government has alleged that Sen, who is the vice-president of the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), was acting as a courier for a suspected naxalite.

Sen, who was detained on May 14, 2007, has argued that there was no evidence against him to be booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Also a doctor by profession, Sen has sought bail on medical ground, claiming that he had been suffering from a heart ailment and needs treatment at Christian Medical College, Vellore in Tamil Nadu.

He contended that the chargesheet against him has already been filed and he has remained in jail during the investigation of the case registered against him, so, he should be granted a bail. (ANI)

Supreme Court orders retrial of Gujarat riots by fast track courts

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a retrial of the Gujarat riots cases by fast track courts.

The apex court also directed that the trial would not be shifted out of Gujarat.

Besides, it also ordered he filing of additional chargesheets against new accused named by the Special Investigating Team (SIT).

On April 27, the apex court asked the SIT to probe the role of 64 people, including that of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the cases.

The apex court order was passed in response to a petition filed by Congress parliamentarian Ehsaan Jaffery.

The court asked the SIT to submit the report within three months.

The order came over two months after Gujarat High Court Judge A. S. Dave declined to hear a SIT petition that challenged the anticipatory bail granted to State Minister Maya Kodnani and the former VHP leader Jaydeep Patel in connection with the Godhra case.

The SIT had moved the Gujarat High Court and challenged the anticipatory bail granted by a lower court to Kodnani and Patel, in the post-Godhra and Naroda Gram riot cases.

The apex court had constituted a five-member SIT to re-investigate the post-Godhra communal riots.

The SIT is reinvestigating into nine post- Godhra riot cases and was expected to submit its report to the apex court by February 15.

Several prominent leaders like, Maya Kodnani of BJP and Jaydeep Patel of Vishwa Hindu Parishad are at the center of investigation, following many witnesses naming them in their statements in the Naroda Gam riot case.

The SIT had filed a 300-page supplementary chargesheet against 24 people in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 people, belonging to the minority community, were killed by a mob during the riots.

The accused include, Fula Vyas of VHP, local BJP leader Jitendra Patel and ex-BJP municipal councilor Ashok Patel.

The SIT has also filed a second charge sheet in Naroda Patiya case against 15 accused, where over 80 people were killed during the Godhra riots.

The third chargesheet in the Gulburg society case, named some VHP and BJP leaders in the list of absconders among the 14 accused, where 38 people were killed.

The five-member SIT team is headed by R. Raghavan, and includes former Deputy General of Police C.D. Satpathy and three Indian Police officers-Geetha Johri, Shivanand Jha and Ashish Bhatia.

Each chapter in the report is being carefully drafted and separate reports are being prepared for each of the nine cases. (ANI)

SC to decide on speedy trial of Gujarat riots cases

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court will today decide on how to speed up the trial of 14 Gujarat riot cases.
On April 27, the apex court asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the role of 64 people, including that of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the cases.

The apex court order was passed in response to a petition filed by Congress parliamentarian Ehsaan Jaffery.

The court asked the SIT to submit the report within three months.

The order came over two months after Gujarat High Court Judge A. S. Dave declined to hear a SIT petition that challenged the anticipatory bail granted to State Minister Maya Kodnani and the former VHP leader Jaydeep Patel in connection with the Godhra case.

The SIT had moved the Gujarat High Court and challenged the anticipatory bail granted by a lower court to Kodnani and Patel, in the post-Godhra and Naroda Gram riot cases.

The apex court had constituted a five-member SIT to re-investigate the post-Godhra communal riots.

The SIT is reinvestigating into nine post- Godhra riot cases and was expected to submit its report to the apex court by February 15.

Several prominent leaders like, Maya Kodnani of BJP and Jaydeep Patel of Vishwa Hindu Parishad are at the center of investigation, following many witnesses naming them in their statements in the Naroda Gam riot case.

The SIT had filed a 300-page supplementary chargesheet against 24 people in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 people, belonging to the minority community, were killed by a mob during the riots.

The accused include, Fula Vyas of VHP, local BJP leader Jitendra Patel and ex-BJP municipal councilor Ashok Patel.

The SIT has also filed a second charge sheet in Naroda Patiya case against 15 accused, where over 80 people were killed during the Godhra riots.

The third chargesheet in the Gulburg society case, named some VHP and BJP leaders in the list of absconders among the 14 accused, where 38 people were killed.

The five-member SIT team is headed by R. Raghavan, and includes former Deputy General of Police C.D. Satpathy and three Indian Police officers — Geetha Johri, Shivanand Jha and Ashish Bhatia.

Each chapter in the report is being carefully drafted and separate reports are being prepared for each of the nine cases. (ANI)

Supreme Court orders SIT to probe role of Modi, 63 others in post-Godhra riot cases

p
New Delhi, Apr.27 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the role of 64 people, including that of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the post-Godhra riots cases. /pp
The apex court order was passed in response to a petition filed by Congress parliamentarian Ehsaan Jaffery./pp
The court asked the SIT to submit the report within three months. /pp
The order came over two months after Gujarat High Court judge A. S. Dave declined to hear a SIT petition that challenged the anticipatory bail granted to State Minister Maya Kodnani and the former VHP leader Jaydeep Patel in connection with the Godhra case. /pp
Not before me. The case will now be transferred to the court of another judge and the date of hearing would be decided later, Justice Dave said without giving any reason./pp
The SIT had moved the Gujarat High Court and challenged the anticipatory bail granted by a lower court to Kodnani and Patel, in the post-Godhra and Naroda Gram riot cases. /pp
The Supreme Court had constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to re-investigate the post-Godhra communal riots. /pp
The SIT is reinvestigating into nine post- Godhra riot cases and was expected to submit its report to Supreme Court by February 15./pp
Several prominent leaders like, Maya Kodnani of BJP and Jaydeep Patel of Vishwa Hindu Parishad are at the center of investigation, following many witnesses naming them in their statements in the Naroda Gam riot case./pp
The SIT had filed a 300-page supplementary chargesheet against 24 people in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 people, belonging to the minority community, were killed by a mob during the riots./pp
The accused include, Fula Vyas of VHP, local BJP leader Jitendra Patel and ex-BJP municipal councilor Ashok Patel./pp
The SIT has also filed a second charge sheet in Naroda Patiya case against 15 accused, where over 80 people were killed during the Godhra riots./pp
The third chargesheet in the Gulburg society case, named some VHP and BJP leaders in the list of absconders among the 14 accused, where 38 people were killed./pp
The five-member SIT team is headed by R. Raghavan, and includes former Deputy General of Police C.D. Satpathy and three Indian Police officers — Geetha Johri, Shivanand Jha and Ashish Bhatia./pp
Each chapter in the report is being carefully drafted and separate reports are being prepared for each of the nine cases. (ANI)/p

Kasab’s lawyer seeks time as Kasab demands chargesheet in Urdu

Mumbai, Apr. 21 (ANI): Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman arrested in the Mumbai terror attacks, through his advocate has demanded an Urdu copy of the chargesheet filed against him.

His advocate Abbas Kazmi, who was appointed by the court last week, sought four weeks’ time to study the case and reply to the draft charges proposed by the prosecution.

Even earlier, Pakistan-origin Kasab had made a similar demand from the prosecution, citing lack of ability to decipher Marathi or English languages.

On Monday, the prosecution had proposed 312 charges against Kasab and two others for their alleged role in the Mumbai terror strikes.

Special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam requested the court to order a probe to find out the actual age of Kasab, who claims to be a juvenile.

Kasab’s lawyer didn’t have any objection for the same.

So far, Kasab’s age claims have been rejected by special judge M L Tahilyani.

Next hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday.

Also on Tuesday, another accused, Sabauddin Ahmed claimed that he had been subjected to third degree torture methods by some police officers, who he urged should be dismissal of the concerned police officials.

He also demanded that two FBI officials, who had allegedly interrogated him, should be arrested.

Special judge Tahilyani has asked the police to file its reply to Sabauddin’s application. (ANI)

Dhaka court indicts Huji leader, 13 others for blast in 2001

Dhaka, April 17 (IANS) A Bangladesh court has indicted Mufti Abdul Hannan, leader of the banned Islamist outfit Harkatul Jihad Islami (Huji), and 13 others for causing the 2001 blast at a city rally that killed 10 and injured scores of people.

The blast occurred in 2001 at Dhaka’s Ramna Batamul area during Pahela Baisakh, the Bengali New Year celebration.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge A.N.M. Bashir Ullah Thursday rejected the discharge petitions submitted by the counsels for Hannan and five others and framed charges against all 14 accused.

Five of the accused produced before the court amid tight security pleaded not guilty after the charges brought against them were read out, The Daily Star said Friday.

Moulana Tajuddin, younger brother of former Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, and seven other accused are absconding. Charges were framed against them in absentia.

The chargesheet said Ramna Batamul, where thousands of people gather to celebrate the Bangla New Year, was chosen as the target because Huji considers Pahela Baishakh celebrations anti-Islamic.

Moulana Tajuddin supplied the bombs. He also supplied grenades for carrying out the attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue Aug 21, 2004, the media report said.

Huji is one of the four organisations banned by then Khaleda Zia government (2001-06) after the activities of Islamist militant bodies raised protests at home and among the international community.

Media reports have said these organisations have managed to regroup and step up their activities despite the ban.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday sought the cooperation of Islamic leaders and scholars in finding out terrorists and troublemakers.

‘Islam is a religion of peace, but a vested quarter is undermining the image of this religion,’ she said while exchanging views with a delegation of madrassa and Islamic leaders.

The government wants to bring under its control the quami madrassas (seminaries) that belong to different schools of Islamic theology to monitor their activities and keep a check on their misuse by militants.

The government move comes after the discovery of arms, ammunition and explosives in a British NGO funded madrassa on Bhola island in southern Bangladesh.

Pak responds to India’s replies on 26/11

Pakistan, on Monday, responded to India replies on the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008.

Addressing mediapersons in Islamabad, Pakistan Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said that they have requested India for more information.

The minister said that India has not yet provided the details of the SIM cards used by terrorists for the attack.

Malik said that Pakistan has asked India for few documents related to Amir Ajmal Qasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the attack, who is facing trial in India at present.

“We have requested India for a copy of Qasab’s statement to magistrate. We have also asked India for a copy of Qasab’s chargesheet,” said Malik.

He further said that the DNA reports of Qasab and another terrorist killed are the same.

The Pakistan minister said that their investigations are on and that they have arrested one more facilitator.

The arrested man is named Shahid Jameel Riyaz, who facilitated money transaction for the attack.

India can share more information with Pak: Pranab Mukherjee

Jangipur (West Bengal), Apr 14 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that India could send more information to Pakistan on Mumbai terror attacks.

“We have received the papers from Pakistan. We are examining the papers. If there will be further information necessary, we will send them the further information,” Mukherjee told reporters here.

Mukherjee, however, said the main issue was to resolve the matter and punish the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks.

“The matter should not be delayed on this or that clarification. We are prepared to give them any information that they want. We only want them to take action against the perpetrators of the deadly siege of Mumbai,” he added.

His statement came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister’s Interior Affairs Advisor Rehman Malik on Monday demanded more details on the Mumbai terror attacks.

Malik has asked the Indian Government to provide the details of sim cards used by the terrorists, full chargesheet of Kasab and a copy of Kasab’s Magistrate statement.

Malik also said the DNA report of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone survivour attacker of Mumbai attacks, was same as slain terrorist Mohammad Ismail.

He claimed that the Pakistan authorities had arrested one more suspect, Shahid Jamil Riaz in last year’s deadly siege of Mumbai. (ANI)

Pakistan respond to India’s reply, demands more details

Islamabad, Apr 13 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister’s Interior Affairs Advisor Rehman Malik on Monday responded to India’s reply to 30 questions forwarded by Pakistan on Mumbai terror attacks last year.

Addressing a press conference here, Malik said the DNA report of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone survivour attacker of Mumbai attacks, was same as slain terrorist Mohammad Ismail.

Malik has also asked the India Government to provide the details of sim cards used by the terrorists.

Malik claimed that the Pakistan authorities have arrested one more suspect in the case.

“Our investigation is on. We have arrested one more suspect, Shahid Jamil Riaz in last year’s deadly siege of Mumbai,” he added.

Riaz is alleged to have maintained financial accounts and helped in planning the 26/11.

He has also demanded Indian Government to provide full chargesheet of Kasab.

“We also need a copy of Kasab’s Magistrate statement,” he added.

Malik said the list of fresh queries has been handed over to India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad, Manpreet Vohra.

On March 13, India submitted answers to the 30 questions forwarded by Pakistan on the Mumbai attack.

It may be recalled that Pakistan put forward 30 questions, and among them were a requirement of a copy of Kasab’s statement to the Mumbai Police, his I-card number and other documents, a description of the terrorists killed, transcription of conversation between the terrorists and their handlers, fingerprints of all terrorists and DNA profiles of all terrorists, including Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone survivour of Mumbai attacks. (ANI)

Pub owner set free in drugs case

MUMBAI: The city police got a jolt on Friday when a sessions court acquitted Provogue owner Salil Chaturvedi of the 2005 drugs case. The court
refused to buy the prosecution’s allegation that he possessed three grams of cocaine, which cops claimed was found from the bathroom of his Lokhandwala bungalow in August 2005.

Police officials, led by the then additional commissioner of police Parambir Singh, had repeatedly stated that Chaturvedi bought drugs from three arrested Tanzanians regularly and supplied them to others. Officials also claimed to have collected evidence that showed there were transcripts of incriminating conversation between his staffers. Chaturvedi also owns two pubs in the city.

The chargesheet filed by cops in 2006, however, said Chaturvedi was arrested only for possession of three grams of cocaine. The others chargesheeted in the case included former Provogue staffers Vishal Maghnani, Allwyn Sequeira and Joe Sequeira, policemen Sanjay Shinde and Shantilal Jadhav and Tanzanian nationals Thomas Odombo, Sako Syed and David.

No senior officer was available to comment on the acquittal. Singh messaged TOI, saying he was in Haryana because of a death in the family.

Chaturvedi, who was behind bars for nearly 36 days, said, “I was framed from the very beginning. The court’s order has restored my faith in the judiciary, but what about the trauma that me and my family have gone through? I demand an inquiry into the frame-up.”

Chaturvedi’s advocate, Rizwan Merchant, said, “Based on our complaint, the court had directed the Narcotics Control Bureau to probe into the allegations. But no inquiry has been carried out till date.”

The case dates back to January 26, 2005, when police detained Sequeira who was allegedly carrying vials of cocaine in a parcel to be delivered in Chennai. Sequeira was arrested on March 3, 2005, and the Chennai address belonged to Maghnani, who was arrested on June 23, 2005. Assistant police inspectors Shinde and Jadhav were arrested in July 2005 for allegedly trying to replace cocaine with boric acid powder and extort money from Maghnani.

On August 3, 2005, police carried a search of Chaturvedi’s house but could not find anything. At the last minute, however, constable Ashok Bhosle–who had gone to the loo–came out declaring that he had found three grams of drugs in the bathroom.

“If I was into drugs and under the scanner, would I be foolish enough to keep drugs in the bathroom,” Chaturvedi asked on Friday. However, Bhosle’s statement was never recorded.

Merchant argued in court that there were many people at the house when it was raided and there was no way of showing that the cocaine was in Chaturvedi’s possession. He also pointed to contradictions in witnesses’ statements which led to the acquittal.

A major reprieve for Chaturvedi came in February 2008 when the Bombay high court said he should be tried separately from other accused in the case. Chaturvedi’s lawyers had argued that all the accused were not arrested at the same time and also the amounts of drugs seized from them were different, so they could not have been involved in the same case; a single trial would have meant Chaturvedi being tried as part of a larger conspiracy where the contraband seized was 867 gram.

Kasab gets a lawyer

Mumbai, March 30 (ANI): A special court here today appointed Anjali Waghmare as the new lawyer for Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive in the Mumbai terror attacks last year.

Waghmare, who is a lawyer from the state legal aid cell, will now represent Kasab.

Kasab, during an earlier court hearing on March 23, had said he wanted a lawyer to represent him during the trial and was ready to accept a government-appointed lawyer.

During the hearing, Kasab had also accepted the fact that he hailed from Faridkot in Pakistan.

Earlier, Mumbai Police sent a chargesheet against Kasab to the Home Ministry. The chargesheet includes the answer to how the boat was hijacked in Gujarat.

It also includes Kasab’s confession and transcripts of the conversations by attackers during the Mumbai attacks.

Mumbai police had filed an 11,500-page chargesheet in the terror attacks on February 25 in the Qila court. It had mentioned the names of Kasab and 44 others (including nine killed attackers) involved in the terror attack that claimed over 180 lives.

The chargesheet named LeT as the mastermind behind the attacks. (ANI)

Admiral Bashir does a volte face, agrees with Pak Interior Ministry’s report

Karachi/Kochi, Feb.28 (ANI): Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, on Saturday back tracked on a statement he made on Friday, saying he agreed with the Interior Ministry’s report on the Mumbai terror attack.

“We have not been directly involved in the investigation, which is under the domain of the interior ministry. Therefore, they are better equipped, they have better knowledge and information,” Admiral Bashir said.

On Friday, Bashir had categorically ruled out laying the blame for the terror strikes on the Pakistan Navy or the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), and added that the ten terrorists, including lone survivor Ajmal Amir Kasab, did not use the sea route from Pakistan to India to carry out their mission.

“There is no possibility of the sea route used by the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks. We have consistent surveillance on maritime border,” he had said.

He had also claimed that the 26/11 was an indication of the failure of the Indian Navy.

Admiral Bashir’s statement was a clear contradiction of the statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik, who had said that the sea route was used by the terrorists to enter Mumbai from Karachi.

On Saturday, Defence Minister A. K. Antony and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, strongly rebutted Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Noman Bashir’s contention that the perpetrators of the November 26, 2008 terror attack on Mumbai did not use the sea route from Pakistan to reach India’s financial capital.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark the keeling of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Antony told ANI: After 26/11, our investigating agencies carried out thorough investigations and came out with results that indicated that the terrorists used the sea route to attack Mumbai.”

In his response, Admiral Mehta said: “Whatever the Pakistan Navy Chief has said in Urdu means that the terrorists could have used another route, and not the sea route via Pakistan. But the (Indian) investigative agencies have produced an excellent document and chargesheet, which brings out that the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage used the sea route (from Pakistan) to attack Mumbai.” (ANI)

Admiral Bashir does a volte face, agrees with Pak Interior Ministry’s report

Karachi/Kochi, Feb.28 (ANI): Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, on Saturday back tracked on a statement he made on Friday, saying he agreed with the Interior Ministry’s report on the Mumbai terror attack.

“We have not been directly involved in the investigation, which is under the domain of the interior ministry. Therefore, they are better equipped, they have better knowledge and information,” Admiral Bashir said.

On Friday, Bashir had categorically ruled out laying the blame for the terror strikes on the Pakistan Navy or the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), and added that the ten terrorists, including lone survivor Ajmal Amir Kasab, did not use the sea route from Pakistan to India to carry out their mission.

“There is no possibility of the sea route used by the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks. We have consistent surveillance on maritime border,” he had said.

He had also claimed that the 26/11 was an indication of the failure of the Indian Navy.

Admiral Bashir’s statement was a clear contradiction of the statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik, who had said that the sea route was used by the terrorists to enter Mumbai from Karachi.

On Saturday, Defence Minister A. K. Antony and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, strongly rebutted Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Noman Bashir’s contention that the perpetrators of the November 26, 2008 terror attack on Mumbai did not use the sea route from Pakistan to reach India’s financial capital.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark the keeling of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Antony told ANI: After 26/11, our investigating agencies carried out thorough investigations and came out with results that indicated that the terrorists used the sea route to attack Mumbai.”

In his response, Admiral Mehta said: “Whatever the Pakistan Navy Chief has said in Urdu means that the terrorists could have used another route, and not the sea route via Pakistan. But the (Indian) investigative agencies have produced an excellent document and chargesheet, which brings out that the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage used the sea route (from Pakistan) to attack Mumbai.” (ANI)

New video footage of Mumbai attacks released

Mumbai, Feb 26 (ANI): A new video footage of militants in the premises of Hotel Trident during the Mumbai attacks of November 26, 2008, which left at least 179 dead has been released.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police filed an approximately 5,000-page chargesheet on the 26/11 terror attacks.

The detailed chargesheet, presented to Metropolitan Magistrate M J Mirza, included reports and forensic examination conducted by the FBI, which had been working along with central security agencies.

Besides Mohammad Ajmal Amir Iman Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive during the attacks, nine Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and twenty most wanted accused were named in the chargesheet.

These twenty accused are believed to be hiding in Pakistan and include Yousuf Muzzamil and Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of 26/11.

Kasab faces numerous charges under the Indian Penal Code, ranging from waging war against a foreign country to murder. He has also been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The chargesheet also presents Kasab’s conversation with his Pakistani handlers, his interrogation report and eyewitness accounts.

The names of the most wanted accused figure in Column Two of the chargesheet (those who could not be brought for trial), which will enable the police to seek a non-bailable warrant against them and subsequently an Interpol Red Corner Notice. (ANI)

Kasab’s police custody ends today

Mumbai, Feb 26 (ANI): The police custody of Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/ 11 terror strikes, ends today.

On February 13, a magistrate’s court had remanded Kasab to police custody for his involvement in a blast that took place in a taxi at Vile Parle.

He has been in police custody since his arrest on the night of November 26 and booked in 12 cases by Mumbai police.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police filed an approximately 5,000-page chargesheet on the 26/11 terror attacks.

Besides Kasab, nine Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and twenty most wanted accused were named in the chargesheet.

These twenty accused are believed to be hiding in Pakistan and include Yousuf Muzzamil and Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of 26/11.

Kasab faces numerous charges under the Indian Penal Code, ranging from waging war against a foreign country to murder. He has also been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The chargesheet also presents Kasab’s conversation with his Pakistani handlers, his interrogation report and eyewitness accounts.

Kasab and Ismail Khan attacked the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on November killing 58 persons and injuring over 100. (ANI)