13/7 blasts' accused ATS custody extended till August 2

The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court on Monday extended the police custody of Abdul Mateen Damda Faquee, 50, who the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) had arrested on July 15 for allegedly financing the bombers to carry out the serial train blasts on July 13, 2011. The court remanded the accused in ATS custody till August 2 after the prosecution informed that ATS needs to track the trail of money.

Chief public prosecutor Kalpana Chavan, while seeking the extension, informed the court that hawala mode was how the money was transferred and, hence, the agency needs more time to track the trail as the blasts could not have happened without the financial aid.

Defence advocate Sharif Sheikh opposed the extension saying ATS can't say the accused was a part of the conspiracy as he was unaware of the plan. He thought the money that he'd lent would be invested in some business, Sheikh added.

However, the prosecution claimed they are yet to investigate the same. "The agency too wants to check whether he had knowledge of the blasts,"said Chavan.

The court, thus, extended accused's custody till August 2.