The Gujarat Police will apply for the custody of Yasin Bhatkal, one of the key accused in 2008 serial blasts case in Ahmedabad. The city crime branch on Thursday said that apart from Ahmedabad bomb blasts, the Indian Mujahidin co-founder is also wanted in 35 different cases in the State.
Addressing a conference, Ahmedabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) said of the total 35 cases, 15 are linked with blast attempt in Surat and others in Ahmedabad. Apart from Bhatkal, the Police has also declared Iqbal Bhatkal and Riyaz Bhatkal as wanted in terror cases.
On July 26, 2008 as many as 57 people were killed and over 200 injured following serial bomb blasts in different areas of Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad Crime Branch had filed cases showing Bhatkal as an accused for 21 bomb blasts. Though the bombs planted in Surat did not explode, the police have registered cases against them.
IM men planted 18 bombs, which were spotted hanging on trees in the proximity of diamond processing units as well as near residential areas of Surat. Through transfer warrant the Gujarat Police would arrest Bhatkal. “We intend to take him on remand for interrogation. As trial is going on in the bomb blast cases, he would be charge-sheeted later on,” adds the Joint Commissioner of Police.