In the light of Swami Aseemanand's confession about his involvement in the 2006 Malegaon blast, nine accused in the case applied for bail on Monday. Defence lawyer Khalid Azmi moved their bail applications before the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court here. Hearing on the pleas has been slated for January 28.
“Aseemanand's confession was the main ground for seeking bail. The application also refers to the reply filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Bombay High Court that they had no direct evidence [against the accused]. Moreover, Aseemanand's confession has come after Sadhvi Pragnya Singh Thakur and [Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant] Purohit's arrest in the Malegaon 2008 blast. This clearly shows that these nine accused are innocent and that they have been framed. Therefore, I filed the bail plea,” Mr. Azmi told The Hindu .
The nine accused who have been charge sheeted in the case are: Salman Farsi, Shabir Ahmed, Noorulhuda Doha, Rais Ahmed, Mohammed Ali, Asif Khan, Javed Sheikh, Farooque Ansari and Abrar Ahmed.
