ATS files chargesheet in 7/11 blasts case

MUMBAI: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday filed an over one lakh-page chargesheet in a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Act (MCOCA) court in the July 11 serial train blasts that claimed over 185 lives.

The ATS has named a total of 28 accused in the case, out of which 13 are in judicial custody.

Many of the 15 accused, including main conspirator Azam Cheema, are Pakistani nationals, an ATS official said.

Faisal Shaikh and Asif Khan alias Junaid are shown as the prime conspirators among the arrested accused.

The chargesheet comprising about 10,000 pages in respect of each of the 13 arrested accused were bought in 15 bags to the court.

The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, MCOCA, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act, Railway Act, Passport Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The ATS proposes to examine around 2,000 witnesses in the case, the official said.

Seven, near simultaneous, powerful bombs had exploded in first class compartments of different local trains on July 11 killing over 185 commuters and injuring more than 400.