NEW DELHI, Apr 22: Top Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Abu Jundal, one of the masterminds of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, has moved a special court here seeking a direction to the authorities of Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail, where he is lodged, to produce him before the NIA court here.
In an application filed before District Judge I S Mehta, advocate M S Khan, who appeared for Tunda, said he never had any occasion to discuss the case with his client and it would adversely affect his defence.
Khan said Jundal is lodged in Arthur Road jail and his physical presence was essential here in order to ensure “fair and reasonable opportunity” to the accused to enable his counsel to defend him properly under his instructions.
“The right to have a fair trial is guaranteed by the Constitution of India and as such the accused is entitled to have discussion with his counsel for his proper defence,” the plea said, adding “it is, therefore, most respectfully and in the interest of justice prayed that Superintendent Arthur Road jail, Mumbai, may kindly be directed to produce the accused in the aforesaid case.”
The court, which was scheduled to commence the arguments on framing of charges against Jundal who was chargesheeted by National Investigation Agency (NIA) for allegedly carrying out terror activities in India, issued a production warrant for June 2 seeking his presence before it.
The court has also taken on record the plea filed by Khan and posted it for arguments on June 2.
Jundal, who is also known as Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari, is now lodged in Arthur Road jail in connection with an alleged conspiracy to launch terror strikes in the country.
Jundal was chargesheeted by NIA for offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly attempting to recruit persons through the internet for joining banned outfit, LeT, and carrying out terror activities in India.
In its charge sheet, NIA had said that in and around 2005, Jundal, along with his absconding associate Fayyaz Kagzi, had joined LeT and in November 2005, and they went to Nepal to meet LeT commander Abdul Aziz and received a three-day training of bomb assembling and IED-making from him.
It had also claimed that on returning to India, Jundal fled to Pakistan via Bangladesh and stayed in Karachi and in LeT’s headquarters in Muridke.
He did three training courses in LeT training camp and came in touch with LeT top operatives, including its chief Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah, NIA had alleged. (PTI)
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