Man accused of attacking DCP during Mahal riots gets bail

Nagpur: A district and sessions court here on Friday granted bail to Mohammad Ghazi Iftekhar, an accused in the Mahal riots case. Iftekhar had allegedly attacked the then deputy commissioner of police, Niketan Kadam, during the violence that shook the city in March last year.Additional sessions judge S G Borlepawar passed the order while hearing the bail application filed through defence counsel Rafiq Akbani.Ganeshpeth police named the accused in an FIR under multiple charges linked to the riots in the Mahal area, including rioting, damage to public property, possession of weapons and assault on police personnel. According to the prosecution, Iftekhar allegedly attacked Kadam with an axe during the clashes, causing serious injuries. Investigators also informed the court that 33 policemen, including several senior officials were injured in the violence.The prosecution opposed the bail plea, citing the gravity of allegations and the scale of injuries suffered by police personnel during the unrest.However, the court granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 1.5 lakh with stringent conditions. The accused was directed to mark attendance at Ganeshpeth police station every Monday and Thursday. The court also restrained him from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence during course of the trial.