Asaduddin Owaisi accuses National Investigation Agency of going slow on `non-Muslim` blast cases

Five key operatives of Indian Mujahideen, including the banned terror outfit`s co-founder Yasin Bhatkal were sentenced to death in the 2013 Dilsukhnagar blast case.

New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi raked up a fresh controversy on Tuesday by questioning the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for allegedly going slow on blasts purportedly carried out by non-Muslims.

In a series of tweets, the president of All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen Party said, “2013 Dilsukhnagar blast accused all get conviction Mecca Masjid blast, AJMER Dargha Blast,Malegaon blasts Will NIA get conviction these cases.”

“Why can't our Premier Investigation Agencies show same Urgency t convict all alleged terrorist cases Demolition BabriMasjid pending since 92 (sic),” he added.

Directly questioning the NIA, he adds: “dilsukhnagar bomb blast accused can be convicted in 3 years why is it taking long to convict MMasjid,Ajmer,Malegaon Can NIA throw some light (sic).”

“Do not be surprised the way NIA is pursuing those Bomb Blast cases where accused are Non Muslims they will be exonerated bcos of Ache Din?”

His last tweet read: “Dilsukhnagar blast courts have given a verdict which must be accepted, terrorist should be punished.”

Owaisi's doubts on the functioning of the NIA came a day after five key operatives of Indian Mujahideen, including the banned terror outfit's co-founder Mohd Ahmed Sidibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal and Pakistani national Zia-ur-Rahman alias Waqas and three others - Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, Tahaseen Akhtar alias Monu and Ajaz Shaikhwere - awarded death penalty by a Special NIA Court in the February 2013 Hyderabad bomb blasts which claimed 18 lives.

This is the first case where operatives of the home-grown group have been convicted in a terror case.

Eighteen people were killed and 131 injured in two deadly explosions in Dilsukhnagar, a crowded shopping area in the city, on February 21, 2013.

Since IM founder Riyaz Bhatkal, the prime accused in the case, is absconding, the trial was split up against him.

According to NIA, Riyaz Bhatkal arranged for explosive substances and directed Asadullah Akhtar and Zia-ur-Rahman at Mangalore to receive the same.