Jaipur: In a setback to the ongoing probe
into the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case, a special court Friday stayed further interrogation of a blast suspect by NIA and sought the agency's response on his petition by September 26.
The court on Monday had granted National Investigation
Agency (NIA) to interrogate Bharat Bhai Rateshwar, who was named as one of the main conspirator and mastermind along with Swami Aseemanand in the blast, for four days.
The NIA, Mumbai unit, had sought to interrogate Rateshwar
for tracing his suspected links in similar other blasts
besides Ajmer.
Accordingly, NIA officials had interrogated Rateshwar on
September 21 and 22.
The accused today moved the court alleging that the NIA's
application for his interrogation was allowed without hearing
him and he is being pressurised to become an accomplice in the
case.
Rateshwar also alleged that he was asked to support the
prosecution and also to change his counsel and appoint an
advocate suggested by NIA.
Taking cognisance of the application, special judge C N
Mathur stayed the NIA interrogation and has sought a response
on Rateshwar's application by September 26.
Three people had died in the Ajmer dargah blast which
occurred on October 11, 2007.
PTI
First Published: Friday, September 23, 2011, 20:02