Key eye-witnesses turn hostile in Shramjivi Express blast

Two key eye-witnesses in the the 2005 Shramjivi Express blasts have turned hostile and "failed" to identify the main accused.

Amisul Murslin and Mahibul Muskin, lodged in Tihar jail, were produced before a special court at Jaunpur district, where they turned hostile yesterday.

Seventeen people were killed and over 50 injured as blasts ripped through the train on July 28, 2005. The duo did not corroborate their statement given to the special cell of Delhi Police and "failed" to identify main accused Mohammand Alam Giri alias Roni.

The police had arrested Roni, Obedurrahaman alias Babu Bhai, Hilal alias Hilaluddin and Nafikul Vishwas on the charge of hatching a conspiracy for the blasts on the basis of the duo's statements.

The witnesses, both brothers, had told a special cell of Delhi Police that it was Roni who had kept the RDX in the train and three others were with him. But, before Special Judge (EC) Act, Rajendra Chandra, they said they did not know anything about Roni.
       
Special prosecutor Yadvendra Chaturvedi told PTI, "we have examined 51 witnesses and only one witness ACP Sanjiv Yadav of Delhi Police has to be examined now". The case is posted to December 2 for recording the evidence of the ACP, who had arrested Roni and the witnesses.