Mangaluru: 3 convicted for helping Indian Mujahideen founders, members

Mangaluru: The 3rd Additional District and Sessions Court in Mangaluru on Monday convicted three people for helping Indian Mujahideen founders Riyaz Bhatkal and Yasin Bhatkal, sheltering them and aiding in preparing explosives for carrying out blasts in various parts of the country.

Justice S.H. Pushpanjali Devi convicted Sayyed Mohammed Naushad, Ahamed Bava Aboobakkar and Fakeer Ahamad alias Fakeer. Naushad is the prime accused in the 2008 serial blasts in Gujarat.

Four others, Mohammed Rafeeq and Shabeer Moulavi from Bhatkal and Mohammed Ali and his son Javed Ali from Ullal near Managaluru, have been acquitted for lack of evidence.

The convicted have been found guilty under Section 9(b) of Explosives Act, Section 5(b) of Indian Explosives Substances Act, Section 25 (A) (A) of Arms Act, Section 16, 17 and 18 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Section 120 (B) of IPC.The quantum of sentence would be pronounced on April 12.

Meanwhile, the case against four IM members, including Riyaz and Yasin, was split as they were absconding at the time of filing the chargesheet. On October 3, 2008, the police had arrested Mohammed Ali and his son Javed Ali, Naushad and Ahmed Bava Abobakkar. Later, the other accused too were arrested for their links with Indian Mujahideen operative Riyaz Bhatkal.

Naushad was accused of providing shelter to Yasin and Mudassar. He also allegedly collected the explosives (15 kg of amonium nitrate) in Udupi and Circuit.

Later, as per the directions of Yasin, Naushad and Mudassar allegedly took the explosive materials to the house of Ahmed Bava and from there to Pune. Later it was transported to Surat. Fakeer Ahmed is said to be a part of the Indian Mujahideen and helped IM operatives to stay in his house in Chikkamagaluru.