Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112761750400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Mangalore men named in blasts

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The city police have named the four men from Mangalore, arrested in connection with the Mumbai and Surat blasts, as also being involved in Bangalore serial blasts.

Mohammed Ali (56), his son Jawed Ali (20), Naushad (25), and Ahmed Bawa Abubakar (33), have been accused of conspiracy in the blasts here that took place on July 25.

One other man, Mohammed Samee Bagewadi, an engineering student from Bijapur, has been arrested in connection with this case.

A team of Central Crime Branch police brought the four men from Mangalore and produced them before the First Additional City Metropolitan Magistrate B.K. Bhute on Wednesday. They were remanded in police custody till December 9. On November 22, CCB Assistant Commissioner of Police H.M. Omkariah was permitted by the court to bring the men, lodged in Mangalore prison, to Bangalore.

Mr. Omkariah contended that the Surat and Mumbai blasts were similar to those in Bangalore and that the accused were involved in organised crime for the past two years.

Advocate for the accused Byata N. Jagadeesh, opposing the request, said the accused had been interrogated by Bangalore and Mangalore police and handing them over again in police custody was tantamount to harassment.

Turning him down, the judge said the accused were being produced before him for the first time and that the interrogation by the Mangalore and the Ullal police could not be considered while dealing with the application by the Bangalore police.