Author: Menaka Rao
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 10, 2008
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Charges-framed-against-Imam-of-Haj-house-masjid/271274/
Introduction: Maulana Ghulam Yahya allegedly
harboured 3 Kashmiri militants in 2006
A Sewri fast-track court on Thursday framed
charges against the Maulana Ghulam Yahya, the Imam of Haj house masjid on
the charge of harbouring three alleged Kashmiri militants in 2006. The Imam,
however, denied all charges.
This case preceded the serial train blasts
that took place on July 11, 2006, when alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists
planted bombs in the first-class compartments of seven trains of the Western
Railway.
Yahya (46) was arrested on January 13 on the
charge of harbouring three militants from Jammu and Kashmir having alleged
Lashkar-e-Toiba links.
In their chargesheet, the Anti-Terrorist Squad
had alleged that the imam was a link between Salauddin, the Lashkar commander
in Kashmir, and the three alleged militants - Mohammed Ramzan Abdul Wahab
Haji, Kurshid Ahmed Abdul Gani Lone and Arshad Hussain Badru Hussain. The
ATS seized detonators, timers and electronic devices from the three Kashmiris,
says the chargesheet.
While the three Kashmiris have been sent to
Kashmir where they faced preventive detention charges, Yahya has been in custody
in Arthur Road jail.
On Thursday, Yahya was produced in court for
framing of charges in the case. When Ad-hoc additional sessions judge, S D
Agarwal read out the charges against him in Hindi and said, "The charges
against you are that you are from a terrorist organisation and you sheltered
terrorists," Yahya said, pleading not guilty, "No sir. Mere iman
pe mujhe gurur hai."
Charges under relevant sections of the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act and conspiracy were framed against Yahya.
The judge has kept the next date of hearing
on February 27 when the court will decide which articles and documents will
be admitted.
"We are trying to get the three Kashmiris
in Mumbai but the weather did not permit us to get them this date. My officer
is in Kashmir where its snowing heavily and not very easy to navigate. We
will try get them next date," said Special Public Prosecutor, Raja Thakre.
- menaka.rao@expressindia.com
