Karnataka - Bangalore

Alleged LeT associate denied bail

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition for bail by a shopkeeper of Bangalore, who is alleged to have received funds on behalf of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) network in Karnataka.

The petitioner, Chand Pasha, said he is a resident of Bangalore and that he had a garment shop in Shivajinagar. He claimed that the then Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Bangalore, V.S. D’souza had lodged a complaint against him and seven others that they were part of the LeT network in Karnataka.

He said the police, after investigation, had arrested Abdul Rehaman and others. Pasha said he was arrested because the police said he had received money (on behalf of the LeT) from Saudi Arabia. He said cases against him and seven others were booked under section 120 (B), 121, 122, 124 (A), 153 (A), 153 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 5, 6 of the Explosives Act, Section 25, 28 of the Arms Act and Section 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

He said a charge sheet was filed in the 7th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court, Bangalore, in which he was shown as the seventh accused. According to the charge sheet, the accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy in several towns in Karnataka, including Chintamani, Mulbagal (Kolar district), Guledagudda (Bagalkot district) and in Bangalore, to commit acts of sabotage in Karnataka.

The charge sheet and affidavit (by the State Public Prosecutor) showed that the LeT had planned to blast temples, dargah, vital installations, important scientific institutions, research and development centres and the Almatti dam.

Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri dismissed the bail plea.

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