IN an extremely perilous move, the Uttar Pradesh government has withdrawn case against an alleged HuJI operative jailed in connection with the 2007 serial blasts in Gorakhpur. Obviously with the motive of alluring the Muslim community in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Samajwadi Party has sunken to the lowest level, and it has asked the court to drop charges against Tariq Kasmi.
“Government has requested the court to withdraw case against Tariq Kasmi in Gorakhpur blast. The decision has been taken after a report from District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur,” Secretary Home, Sarvesh Mishra said. He said that charges against Kasmi has not been framed yet and the recommendation of the government to withdraw case has been sent to the court through Law Department.
Even though the final decision in this regard rests on the court, the government’s move is surely to affect national security. Six persons were injured in the blast which took place on May 23, 2007 at Golghar crossing in Gorakhpur. The bomb was planted on a bicycle. About a month after the blasts, the Special Task Force of UP Police arrested Tariq Kasmi, who hailed from Azamgarh and one Khalid Mujahid from Barabanki.
In the initial probe it came to light that HuJI and Mujahidin had conducted the blast operations jointly. On its basis Khalid Mujahid of Barabanki and Tariq Kasmi were arrested. Detonators and 1.25 kg RDX was also recovered from them. Saif and Mirza Shadab Beg of Mujahidin are already in Jail. They are charged with blast operations in Barabanki, Lucknow and Faizabad also.
After coming to power, the UP Government had announced to the review cases against “innocent” youths lodged in jail on charges of attacks in Rampur as well as in serial blasts in courts of Faizabad, Barabanki, Lucknow and also in Gorakhpur and Varanasi blasts.
The most astounding part of the story is that the District Magistrate has not recommended the withdrawal of case, which is a necessary requirement in such cases. Although it is not difficult to get this recommendation, as the District Magistrate cannot refuse the direction of the state. The case is pending with the court of Additional District & Sessions Judge Bhudev Gautam.
If the government goes by its poll promise, the chances are that Rampur blast accused Gulab Kausar and ISI agents Sitara Begum and Vakas Mahmud will also be released.
Recently, a social group Awami Council for Democracy and Peace had moved an application under section 311 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before the Barabanki court where the trial of the two terror accused is underway, seeking directions from the court to summon the Nimesh Commission Report, which had recommended to withdraw the cases against ‘innocent’ Muslims. (SKP)
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