Patna blast case: NIA files charge sheet

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed first charge sheet in the case relating to the last year’s Patna serial blasts.

The NIA has so far arrested eight suspects for their alleged involvement in the explosions.

“Investigation into the serial blasts at Gandhi Maidan and Patna railway station was handed over to the NIA. During the probe, eight accused were arrested of whom one succumbed to injuries sustained while planting a bomb at the railway station,” said an NIA official.

Since the investigation in respect of one of the accused, Imtiyaz Ansari, a resident of Dhurwa in Ranchi (Jharkhand), has been completed, the agency filed the charge sheet against him under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Explosive Substances Act and other laws at an NIA special court.

“Investigations revealed that Imtiyaz along with others had planted the bombs at the Patna railway station and Gandhi Maidan, where the Hunkar rally of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was being organised. Imtiyaz was associated with the Students Islamic Movement of India and also had very close links with the members of Indian Mujahideen,” said an NIA release.

Cash rewards ranging from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh have been declared for the arrest of the absconding accused -- Mujibulla, Hyder Ali, Numan and Taufiq Ansari. “Efforts are being made to track them down,” an official added.