2005 Delhi serial blasts | Shah's professor plays key role in his acquittal

Life has come a full circle for Mohammad Rafiq Shah, who was acquitted by the Delhi court in the 2005 Sarojini Nagar blasts.

Shah was a second-year post graduate student of the department of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir, when he was arrested from his home on charges of being involved in the 2005 blasts.

Prof Abdul Wahid, former Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Kashmir, had played a key role in defending Shah in the courts. He had gone to Delhi to testify that Shah was present in class when the blasts took place. Shah's mother also played a pivotal role in the fight for justice. She was the first person to met Professor Wahid, seeking his help in the case.

"I was the VC of the University when he was arrested. His family came to me and claimed that he was present in the class when the incident took place. They said he was framed. I told them to talk to the head of the department. We procured the record from the department," said Professor Wahid.

"They (family) told me that the lawyers had said that a certificate from the registrar won't work. Only one from the VC could change the game. I said I am willing to do so. Normally, VCs don't interfere, but I offered help and gave a letter that as per evidence presented to me by my office, this boy was present in the class from this date to that," he said.

Later, the court issued summons to Professor Wahid, and he cared little of the protocols. He said, "I went to Delhi and was told to sit in a room. I was sitting outside when he (Shah) came out and hugged me, though he was in police custody. I am happy that he got acquitted," he said

Hailing from a middle class family of Alasteng in the outskirts of Srinagar, Shah's father Mohommad Yasin Shah is a retired government employee. Shah has two sisters, who were married in his absence, because he was in jail.