No substantial proof against Abdul Mateen Damada, court discharges 13/7 suspect

The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court has discharged Abdul Mateen Damada, 50, who was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), for his alleged involvement in the July 13, 2011 serial blasts case. Presided by special judge Yatin D Shinde, the court passed the discharge orders after the investigating agency informed the court it was unable to find substantial evidence against the accused.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam confirmed the development to dna, saying: "The court on Friday has discharged accused Damada for lack of evidence."

The investigating agency had arrested Damada from Goa airport in July this year. The agency claimed that Damada was the one who had allegedly provided financial help of Rs10 lakh to Yasin Bhatkal via hawala medium, in order to carry out blasts in Mumbai in 2011.

Shariff Sheikh, defence advocate representing Damada, spoke to dna regarding his client's case. He said, "My client was arrested on the alleged basis of providing financial help to Bhatkal in connection with blasting the city.

However, the agency terribly failed to prove his role in the case, and thus could not charge sheet him for it. Hence, they informed the same to the court, who accordingly discharged him from the case."

The city was struck with serial blasts that shook Zaveri Bazaar, Dadar Kabutarkhana and Opera house on July 13, 2011.