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Two convicted, three acquitted in 2007 Hyderabad twin blasts case

The prosecution had contended that it was Aneeq Shafique Sayeed, Riyaz Bhatkal and Ismail Chowdhari who planted the bombs.

Two convicted, three acquitted in 2007 Hyderabad twin blasts case

Representational Image (Photo: iStock)

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday convicted Mohammed Akbar Ismail Chowdhari and Aneeq Shafique Sayeed in the 2007 twin blasts in Hyderabad, in which 44 people were killed.

While two were convicted, the court let off three accused in the case – Farooq Sharfuddin Tarkash, Mohammed Sadiq Israr Ahmed Shaik and Tarik Anjum.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on Monday. According to reports, the five were not taken to the court in Nampally on Tuesday for security reasons.

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On August 27, the judge had postponed the judgment in the case to September 4.

On August 25, 2007, two blasts had ripped apart Gokul Chat eatery in Koti and a laser show auditorium at Lumbini Park killing 42 people — 32 at Gokul Chat and 10 at Lumbini Park.

The police had recovered more than 10 unexploded bombs a day after the twin blasts.

The accused, who were charged under Section 302 (murder) and other relevant sections of the IPC and the Explosive Substances Act, were arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in October 2008. They are allegedly associated with terror outfit Indian Mujahideen.

The four chargesheets filed in the case by the agency name two more accused – Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal – who are still missing.

The prosecution had contended that it was Aneeq Shafique Sayeed, Riyaz Bhatkal and Ismail Chowdhari who planted the bombs.

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