Family members, lawyers of Malegaon accused jubilant

The Mumbai city civil and sessions court today wore a jubilant look after the nine accused in the Malegaon 2006 blast case were granted bail with the defence lawyers and family members of the accused coming out of the court showing victory sign.

"We expect that in some days they would be discharged from the case", said Hamdani Irfana, a defence lawyer while advocate Jaleel Ansari,  brother of accused Abrar Ahmed said that they were expecting the decision.

However Sibah Magdumi, relative of an accused said this has taken a lot of time to come. "We hope that the government takes action against the officials involved in the investigation and (wrongly) arresting the nine persons".

While Firoz Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind said that this is half justice done. "We hope they are absolved from the false charges against them."

Meanwhile, the Malegaon town near Nashik today erupted in joy after the news about the bail was received. Locals were observing a relay fast at Mushavara square since the last 191 days in support of the release of the nine youths. There were celebrations all round with people distributing sweets and bursting crackers.