Bangalore terror-gate: DRDO scientist too gets bail

March 1, 2013

Bangalore, Mar 1: After the release of two youth, a special court of National Investigation Agency has granted bail to DRDO scientist Ahmed Mirza, who was among the 15 youth picked up by Central Crime Branch of Bangalore police last year.

In a controversial operation on August 29, 2012, the CCB of Bangalore Police had arrested 11 youth from different locations in Karnataka on charge of allegedly plotting to kill a couple of Kannada journalists and political leaders linked with Hindutva organisations. Within few days, four more youth were picked up by CCB sleuths in connection with the same plot. The CCB then filed cases against 25 persons, out of whom 10 are shown as absconding.

However, the NIA, which took over the case three months ago, filed a chargesheet against 12 persons – 11 out of the 15 arrested and 1 from the absconders list- last week.

Of the 15 arrested, NIA had not filed charge sheet against four - Siddiqui, Nalaband, Mirza and Syed Tanzeem. Of the four, NIA had said there was no prosecutable evidence against Siddiqui and Nalaband and had dropped all charges against them, leading to their release from jail.

It had said that investigation was pending against him and had requested for more time to thoroughly probe his involvement. Syed Tanzeem was arrested only on November 4, 2012. Hence, NIA still has a month's time to file a charge sheet against him.

As the investigating agency failed to file a charge sheet against Mirza in the stipulated maximum timeframe of 180 days, his counsel Akmal Razvi and team moved for statutory bail for him at the NIA Special Court on Thursday.

NIA opposed the bail, pleading for more time to investigate him. Justice Somnath R Sindhagi, who heard arguments from both sides, granted bail to Aijaz.

He is expected to be released soon after the court order reaches the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where he has been lodged.

The court has imposed two conditions for granting bail to Mirza - two security bonds of Rs 25,000 each have to be furnished; he should surrender his passport to the court.

He is the elder brother of Shoaib Ahmed Mirza, who the investigating agencies have alleged is one of the main conspirators in the Bangalore terror-gate. However, NIA has failed to find any prosecutable evidence against the elder Mirza.

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Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

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