Hyderabad: “The court is not your kingdom and we are not your subjects whom you can treat like slaves,” says a letter by Indian Mujahideen operatives Yasin Bhatkal and four others to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge.
The letter, which was written six months before the judgement, indicated that the terrorists wanted to block the proceedings. “The judge is from AP and the defence lawyer is from Telangana. This can affect the judgement,” they said, adding that their advocate would not argue till a new judge is appointed.
“Earlier, we had complained about the rude behaviour of the judge towards the accused and their advocates. This betrays the ignorance of the judge who thinks that he has powers to ill treat the accused,” the letter dated June 7, 2016 said.
DC had earlier published another letter of the IM operatives written after they were convicted. The letter is now with the RR district and sessions judge.
Claiming that the judge is biased, the culprits said they would submit arguments only if a new judge is appointed.
“We request you to stay all proceedings. We have also instructed our advocates not to argue before you. We will present arguments when another judge is appointed as we have no hope that you will give us a fair judgement,” the letter said.
The letter alleged that despite complaining of police torture the judge did not prevent it. During the Dilsukhnagar blasts trial, the police provided special security to the judge.
The court had convicted IM operatives Yasin Bhatkal alias Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa from Karnataka, Asadullah Akthar from UP, Zia-ur-Rahman alias Waqas from Pakistan, Tahseen Akhthar from Bihar and Aizaz Shaik from Maharashtra for murder, waging war against the country, conspiracy, attempt to murder and other criminal charges.
18 people were killed and 130 people were injured in the twin blasts that rocked Dilsukhnagar on February 21, 2013.
