04 June,2014 06:39 AM IST | | Salil Urunkar
The chargesheet against Bhatkal was supposed to be filed on June 10
A court has granted the state's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) an extension of 60 days to file a chargesheet against Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of Indian Mujahideen and prime accused in German Bakery blast case. Special Judge S D Darne yesterday granted the extension after ATS officials told the court that they are yet to trace a person named Ibrahim who had supplied RDX to Bhatkal.
The ATS had to file the chargesheet against Bhatkal in the case in the prescribed period of 90 days, which was about to expire on June 10. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Raja Thackeray, however, submitted an application before the special court, requesting extension of 60 days to file the chargesheet. The application states that during interrogation Bhatkal revealed the name of a person (Ibrahim) who allegedly supplied RDX to carry out explosions at several places, including German Bakery and J M Road.
Defence counsel Zaheer Khan Pathan objected to the application stating: "Section 43 (2) b of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) clearly states that the prosecution is supposed to submit their detailed report with valid reason within the stipulated period. Here the prosecution has failed to adhere and has submitted an application which is invalid."
ATS then produced some documents related to the investigation.
They also stressed the need for extension to obtain some mandatory permission from the state and central government while conducting the trial. After hearing both arguments, Darne allowed the application of ATS and granted 60 days extension.
