KOCHI: The Kozhikode unit of the Internal Security Investigation Team (ISIT) interrogated K A Anoop, accused in the Kalamassery bus arson case, over his alleged involvement in theft of explosives from a shop in Perumbavoor in 2008.
According to officials, Anoop was interrogated in the custody of ISIT-Kozhikode on Friday with permission of the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court.
"Anoop, a native of North Paravoor, is the seventh accused in the case related to theft of ammonium nitrate, nitrate mixer and electric detonator from Thuruthiyil Traders, a shop functioning in Perumbavoor. He is also accused of hatching conspiracy along with key accused Thadiyantavide Nazeer and others to carry out bomb blast in Bengaluru.
“The accused allegedly stole explosives from the shop owned by Rebi Kurian. Anoop transported the stolen articles in an autorickshaw and stored them in his house. Later, the explosives were transported to Kannur, where they were used for making the bombs used in the Bengaluru blast," said an ISIT officer.
Anoop was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with assistance of the Interpol when he arrived at the New Delhi airport, after being deported from the UAE.
The Bengaluru police are likely to interrogate him in connection with the 2008 blast, the trial of which is currently progressing in Bengaluru.
Anoop is currently lodged in the Ernakulam District Jail as trial in the bus burning case is likely to begin in a local court soon.
Charges Framed
Kochi: The NIA Court on Saturday framed charges against the accused in the Kalamassery bus arson case.The accused, including Thadiyantavide Nazeer, were produced before the court under tight security. Most of them had earlier denied their involvement in the case. The charges against the accused were read out to them by NIA Court Judge K M Balachandran. Later, the court split the charges and excluded two accused, who have been absconding, from the trial. The case is that the accused hijacked and set ablaze a transport bus of the Tamil Nadu Government, plying between Ernakulam and Salem, at Kalamassery.
Murky Matter