Police seek custody of Asimanand
Hyderabad, Nov 24 (INN): The XIV Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at the Nampally Criminal Court on Wednesday asked the CBI to specify the investigation it wants to conduct since it was seeking custody of Swami Asimanand, one of the accused in the Mecca Masjid blast case. The Magistrate directive came in response to a plea by the accused's counsel Chinna Kesava Rao argued that the Swami was already questioned by the agency investigating the blast which killed nine worshippers on May 18, 2007. Mr Kesava Rao told the Court that Asimanand had been questioned by the CBI for two days since his arrest on November 19 in Haridwar.
The defence lawyer added that the CBI had not specified the investigations it seeks to further conduct. Mr Kesava Rao pointed out that the investigating body had recovered all possible documents from Swami Asimanand and wondered what more is the CBI looking for. Mr Kesava Rao further reminded the Court that the investigating body has claimed to have arrested Asimanand was arrested for his alleged role in the Mecca Masjid blast case but had not stated any specific details.
Claiming that the Swami was suffering from neurological problems, Mr Kesava Rao pleaded with the Court to dismiss the CBI plea for additional custody. The CBI counsel however told the case that it cannot reveal details about the case in an 'open Court' since they were of a sensitive nature. The CBI counsel also asked the Court to order a 15-day police custody of the accused. The Court however refused the CBI argument and directed it to furnish the evidence before deciding on the plea. Swami Asimanand is presently under Judicial custody.
News Posted: 24 November, 2010
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