Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday filed an application before the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court seeking more time to file the charge sheet in the Nallasopara arms haul case.
Special public prosecutor Raja Thakare, appearing for the agency, submitted an application. He relied on a section of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which reads, “If it is not possible to complete the investigation within the said period of 90 days, the court may, if it is satisfied with the report of the public prosecutor indicating the progress of the investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused beyond 90 days, extend the period up to 180 days.”
On this, Judge Vinod Padalkar asked what is the progress in the investigation and for what purpose is the custody of the accused required further? The court also wanted to know the steps being taken to apprehend the other accused, and said the court is not a mere spectator.
When Mr. Thakare said he wants some time to argue, the court said this is not a Surendra Gadling case so “why do you need more time,” and adjourned the hearing to November 3.
Sharad Kalaskar, Vaibhav Raut, Sudhanwa Gondhalekar, Avinash Pawar, and Shrikant Pangarkar were present in the court, and were allowed to meet their family members. Amit Baddi, Ganesh Miskin and Amol Kale are in a prison in Bengaluru as they are accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case. Sujith Kumar and Bharat Kurne participated in the hearing via videoconferencing from Arthur Road Jail.
The ATS had recovered 20 crude bombs, two gelatin sticks, and bomb-making material in Mr. Raut’s residence.
He along with Mr. Kalaskar and Mr. Gondhalekar are also accused of being involved in the bombing at Bhanusagar talkies and Prakash Talkies in Belgaum where Padmavat was being released.
According to the ATS, Mr. Kalaskar had conspired to hurl bombs at a Western musical concert (Sunburn) in Pune and conducted a recce of the spot along with the other accused.
