Mangaluru court convicts three, acquits four for link in Pune's German bakery blast

Seven people were arrested in Ullal after they were alleged to be in league with the German Bakery blast accused Riyaz and Iqbal Shabandri.

Image for representation only.

MANGALURU: Three among seven terror suspects arrested during the police crackdown on Mangaluru’s first sleeper cell in 2008 were declared guilty by the third additional district and sessions court on Monday.  
The quantum of punishment for Syed Mohammed Naushad (26), Ahmed Bava (34) from Bollur in Halayangadi and Fakir Bava from Uchila in Udupi district will be pronounced on Wednesday.

Third additional district and sessions court judge S H Pushpanjali Devi declared the three guilty under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, Explosives Act 2013 and other sections. 

(From top, L-R) Syed Naushad,
Ahmed Bava and Shabbir Bhatkal

Four others — Mohammed Ali of Mukkacherry, his son Javed Ali, Mohammed Rafique from Bolontharu in Bantwal and Shabbir Bhatkal alias Shabbir Maulvi — were let off due to lack of evidence. 

Naushad, Ahmed Bava and Shabbir Bhatkal alias Shabbir Moulana, alleged to be an aide of Indian Mujahideen founder Riyaz Bhatkal, had been in judicial custody. Fakir  Bava, declared guilty, was out on bail.  

The arrest of the terror suspects began in October 2008 in Ullal in a pre-dawn joint operation by  Mumbai police with Karnataka’s Anti-Naxal Force and the Dakshina Kannada district police.  

Naushad, Ahmed Bava and Fakir Bava were also declared guilty under relevant sections of the Arms Act. Naushad, a computer engineering student, was further declared guilty under sections 420 (cheating), 468 and 471 (forgery). 

Public prosecutor Narayan Sherigar informed court that Naushad used to obtain mobile sims by producing fake student identity cards. 

During investigation it was found that the registration number on his two-wheeler was fake. 
The registration number was traced to the original owner Kiran who subsequently testified in court. 
Sherigar said former deputy commissioners Maheshwar Rao, Ponnuraj and under secretary Shivaram Bhat had deposed before the court to justify reasons behind the registering of case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 

Of the total 88 witnesses, the statements of 62 were recorded 122 documents were marked for scrutiny 155 items were produced to corroborate the conspiracy.