MCOCA invoked against 13/7 blasts accused

Maharashtra ATS probing the 13/7 Mumbai triple blasts case has invoked the stringent provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the four arrested accused.

Three blasts had taken place within minutes of each other at Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Dadar on July 13 last year killing 27 persons and injuring several others.

The accused Naquee Ahmed, Nadeem Sheikh, Kanwar Pathrija and Haroon Naik were arrested by ATS for their alleged involvement in the the blasts and are in judicial custody.

According to ATS, the blasts were allegedly carried out by terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) in which its top operative Yasin Bhatkal was directly involved. Bhatkal is absconding.

The investigating agency had earlier told the magistrate's court while seeking the accused's custody that Pathrija had sent Rs ten lakh to Bhatkal through 'hawala' channels to carry out the blasts. Pathrija was alleged to have recieved the money from Saudi Arabia.

According to the agency, one of the accused Nadeem Sheikh has, in a confessional statement recorded by a magistrate, admitted to the alleged offence.