Trial of IM suspects may shift to Delhi

JAIPUR: Almost three years after nine blasts rocked Jaipur's Walled City area, the trial of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspects who allegedly carried out the terror conspiracy might shift to Delhi. The state government will prepare a response to the Supreme Court's notice regarding this on a petition filed by the IM suspects who allegedly carried out serial blasts in Jaipur, Delhi and other cities of the country.
The SC issued notice to the state government recently when the accused pleaded that all the blast cases of 2008 be clubbed together and tried at one place like Delhi. They said it would ensure a speedy trial for them.
Though the home department officers remained tightlipped about the response, sources said it will be feasible for the Rajasthan anti-terrorist squad (ATS) also to allow shifting of the case to Delhi. The ATS is investigating the serial blasts case. It is also investigating seven FIRs lodged in this connection with Manak Chowk and Kotwali police stations.
"It needs a lot of manpower and time to bring the accused terrorists to Jaipur and then take them back to the cities where they are lodged in various jails," a police officer told TOI.
"We are yet to receive details of the notice from the state's law department, but will definitely consider a positive response to the SC's notice," said a home department official.
IM suspects who approached the Supreme Court include Zia-Ur-Rehman, Mohammad Shaqeel, Mohammad Saif, Zeeshan Ahmed, Saqib Nisar, Mohammad Mansoor Asgar, Mubin Kadar Shaikh, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Akbar.
The special investigation team (SIT) of Rajasthan police had claimed that all the suspects who were arrested on charges of carrying out Delhi serial blasts were also involved in the explosions in Jaipur blasts. The SIT had been formed to probe the serial blasts in the city and was reportedly under pressure to crack the case as assembly elections were round the corner.