New Delhi, Sept 29: An alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba militant standing trial in the sensational December 2000 Red Fort attack case today prayed a Delhi court to remove the handcuffs and fetters on him while a co-accused applied for interim bail. The accused Mohammed Arif alias Ashfaq alias Abu Hamad - a Pakistani - in his petition before Additional Sessions Judge O P Saini alleged that he was being "continuously subjected to mental, physical and psychological torture by forcing handcuffs and fetters on him". Perusing Ashfaq's petition, the court issued notices to Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Third Battalion), Investigation Officer and Jail Superintendent asking them to file their objections regarding the same on October six.
Ashfaq was charged with waging war against the government of India (Sec 121-A), Criminal Conspiracy (Sec 120-B) murder (Sec 302), Cheating (Sec 420), Forgery (Sec 468) and using as genuine a forged document (Sec 471) under IPC. Besides, he was charged under Section 14 of Foreigners Act, sections 4 and 5 of explosives act as also arms Act.
Meanwhile, co-accused Shahanshah Alam sought bail on the ground that his wife, who is at Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, was ill due to cardiac problems. The court said it will decide on the bail plea tomorrow. Alam has been charged with helping co-accused in getting driving licence.
Two militants of let sneaked into the 17th century historic monument at around 2100 hours on December 22, 2000 and opened indiscriminate fire on the guards of the 7th Battalion of Rajputana rifles stationed there leading to the death of three persons.

Bureau Report