Germany Bakery blast: Himayat Baig falsely charged, says advocate's plea

Mumbai: An advocate today filed an application in the Bombay High Court alleging that Himayat Baig, the lone convict in the 2010 Pune German Bakery blast case, was falsely implicated and hence a fresh probe should be directed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Advocate Firoz Ansari in his application has said that the state Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) has always picked up innocent men and implicated them in blast cases.

"The NIA should be asked to re-investigate the case in the light of the arrest of Indian Mujahideen member Yasin Bhatkal," Ansari said.

Ansari's application is second such plea made before the court. Earlier journalist Ashish Khetan had filed an application seeking the same relief. Both the applications were filed seeking to intervene in the appeal filed by Baig challenging the death penalty awarded to him and the death confirmation petition.

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A division bench of Justices PV Hardas and PN Deshmukh today adjourned till 29 October the applications and Baig's appeal and the death confirmation petition.

The court, however, asked both the intervenors to show under law if they can be permitted to intervene in a death confirmation petition.

Meanwhile the jail authorities today sought permission to shift Baig to Yerwada prison. According to the authorities Arthur Road prison, where Baig is presently lodged, does not have adequate measures.

The court said it would consider this on the next date of hearing.

On 13 February, 2010 a bomb exploded inside the bakery killing 17 including five foreigners and injuring 58 others. In April this year, the sessions court in Pune awarded death penalty to Baig observing that it was a rarest of rare case.

PTI