Ahmedabad blasts accused witness in Batla House encounter case

Mohammad Saif, one of the accused in the Ahmedabad serial blasts and lodged in the Sabarmati Central Jail at present, proved to be a vital witness in the Batla House conviction pronounced by a Delhi court on July 25. Saif’s statement helped to identify the Batla House accused and seize important articles and documents.

Saif, hiding at a toilet in the Batla House, was arrested after he came out with his hands raised. He, however, provided vital information as he was the key eyewitness to the encounter.

Delhi Police had identified two of the accused — Shahzad Ahmed alias Pappu and Junaid. Ahmed was sentenced to life in the case on Tuesday. Police sources said Saif’s statement proved important to nail Ahmed in the Batla House encounter.

Saif also pointed out secret places in the Batla House where documents and articles, including Ahmed’s passport, were found by the Delhi Police. These documents helped the police unearth the real identities of those killed — Atif Ameen and Mohammad Sajid. The Delhi Police did not slap any charge on Saif — a resident of Nizamabad in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested alive after he surrendered. And, the charge sheet revealed that Saif, who was hiding in a toilet, did not retaliate.

Instead, he came out with hands raised.  Saif, however, was brought to Ahmedabad as he had also played a crucial role in the Ahmedabad blasts being one of those who planted the bombs. Sources in the Detection of Crime Branch, Ahmedabad, said Saif had also given vital information related to other IM (Indian Mujahideen) operatives across the country.