Ten-day NIA custody for Burdwan blast suspect

A Kolkota court granted Hakim’s custody to NIA till November 14, following his release from hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained in the blast.

This October 15, 2014 file photo shows National Investigation Agency officials at the Burdwan blast site.

A city court on Wednesday remanded Abdul Hakim, a suspect in the accidental Burdwan blast, to 10 days of custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Hakim was injured in the blast at Khargragarh in Burdwan town on October 2 and was undergoing treatment at a State-run hospital since then.

He was produced before city sessions court which granted the NIA his custody.

The three others accused in the case Hasem Mollah, Rajia Bibi and Alima Bibi, who are already under arrest were produced in a court during the day. They were remanded to judicial custody till November 20.

Two persons Shakil Ahmed and Sovon Mondal were killed in the explosion while Abdul Hakim sustained injuries. While Rajia Bibi is the wife of deceased Shakil Ahmed, Alima Bibi is the wife of Abdul Hakim. Both were under arrest after the explosion.

Legal help for accused Meanwhile, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) a civil rights group came forward with legal help to the accused in the case. While Rajia Bibi and Hasem Mollah agreed to take legal help offered by APDR, Alima Bibi said that she will have to consult her husband Abdul Hakim on the matter.

Ranajit Sur, a member of ADPR told

The Hindu that the representatives of the organisation were not allowed to meet the suspects by the prison authorities in the past.

“The counsels of NIA also opposed the legal help we offered to the accused but the Judge allowed it,” he said.