Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Additional Secretary (Home), who was the sanctioning authority of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the July 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, on Friday deposed before the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court as a witness in the case.
"AP Sinha, presently the Vice-Chairman of Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) today deposed in the court as the sanctioning authority of UAPA", said defence advocate Prakash Shetty. Seven RDX bombs, kept in the first class coaches of Mumbai`s suburban trains had exploded on July 11, 2006, killing 188 people and injuring 817 others. The blast had occurred between Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari -Mahim Junction, Mira Road-Bhayander, Matunga-Mahim Junction, Borivili.
Kamal Ahamed Ansari (37), Dr Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (37), Mohd Faisal Shaikh (36), Ehtesham Siddiqui (30), Mohammad Majid Shafi (32), Shaikh alam Shaikh (41), Mohd Sajid Ansari (34), Abdul Wahid Shaikh (34), Muzzammil Shaikh (27), Soheil Mehmood Shaikh (43), Zamir Ahmad Shaikh (36), Naveed Hussain Khan (30), Asif Khan (38) were arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), while 14 other accused, including Azam Chima, are absconding in the case. The examination of witnesses have resumed after a span of two years, as the apex court had stayed the trial in 2008. Before the stay, the prosecution had already examined a police officer. The stay was vacated on April 23, 2010.
PTI