Masterminds to be brought to Ahmedabad soon

Riyaz Batkal, Abdul Subhaan alias Touqeer, and Sadaf, the masterminds of the serial blasts, are still at large a year after the blasts. The police, however, believe that those declared as wanted, lodged in different jails, will soon be brought to the city once charges are framed against the accused.

Officials of the Ahmedabad city crime branch said that many of the 39 wanted in connection with the blasts will soon be brought to Ahmedabad on the basis of transfer warrants. ACP Usha Rada of the crime branch said: “Investigations are on in the case.”

“Many of those wanted in the blasts are lodged in different jails across India. They will soon be brought here on the basis of transfer warrants and the number of accused on the wanted list will decrease,” a senior crime branch official said. The four cases have already been sent to the special court for the beginning of trial.

According to crime branch figures, 57 accused have been arrested till date. Those wanted include Touqeer, Batkal and Sadaf, who were among the key players of the blasts.

In its first chargesheet filed in the metropolitan court, the crime branch cited the involvement of Qayamuddin and Touqeer, who coordinated the blasts. The duo acted in collaboration with Mujib-ul-Rehman and Alamzeb Afridi of the Indian Mujahideen.

Red-corner notice
Sources said that a red-corner notice has been issued against Amir Raza, who had allegedly directed Riyaz and Iqbal Batkal to carry out the serial blasts. Riyaz Batkal is allegedly the founder of the Indian Mujahideen and Raza, a key member of terrorist organisation HuJI.