Special judge acquitted 17 others who were allegedly involved in the case
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Chennai: More than 13 years after the seizure of a huge quantity of explosives from four persons of the Muslim Defence Force (MDF), an erstwhile fringe outfit that originated in Saudi Arabia, the special court for exclusive trial of bomb blast cases at Poonamallee sentenced them on Monday to undergo 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for possessing the substances.
Special judge P. Murugan acquitted 17 others who were allegedly involved in the case. Special public prosecutor N. Vijayaraj said on November 29, 2002, a team led by Mahindran, SI of Kodungaiyur police, were checking vehicles on the Rajarathinam Nagar bridge. The team intercepted a vehicle and police identified two persons, Zahir Hussain and Towfiq, travelling in the car with 5 kg of explosives, 40 gelatine sticks and detonators.
Zahir was instrumental in forming MDF in Saudi Arabia, which aimed to mobilise volunteers and prepare them to fight against any harassment caused to Muslims in India by Hindus.
Zahir had confessed that he had gone to Saudi Arabia and become friends with Abu Hamsa in Riyadh where he was introduced to Abu Umar from Pakistan. They had established the MDF. To achieve their objective, suitable Muslim youth were to be selected and inducted.
Based on his information, the police rushed to Mallipattinam in Thanjavur district and arrested two youth – Nizamuddin and Abdul Qadir - and seized 8 kg of explosives from them.
They also registered cases against 23 persons, including Abu Hamsa and Abu Umar, under section 120 (b) of IPC and sections 4 (b) and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
The case was transferred to the special investigation division, CB-CID.
On completion of trial, special judge P. Murugan convicted Zahir, Towfiq, Nizamuddin and Abdul Qadir for possessing explosives with an intention of causing terror and sentenced them to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 on them. The judge also acquitted 17 youth from the case. Two others, Abu Hamsa and Abu Umar, are absconding.
( Source : dc )
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