ALUVA: Shabeer, 32, of Kannur, the 16th accused in the Rahim Pookkadassery murder attempt case was remanded in police custody till March 18 after he was produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFMC) here on Tuesday.
An armed contingent of Salem Striking Force personnel with modern weapons accompanied the accused who was brought from the Salem jail.
Shabeer, son of Abdul Rehman, of Kochupeediyekkal, Marakkarkandi, Kannur, who was in Salem Central Jail in connection with the Coimbatore blast case, was produced before the JMFC, after the court issued a production warrant on the basis of a petition submitted by the Thrikkakara police.
According to the police, the accused had conspired to murder Pookkadassery as the latter was preaching against terrorism. The accused held meetings at Perumbavoor Juma Masjid, Pukkattupady Juma Masjid and Parapuram Mosque.
He managed to contact a person named Kunjumohemed and convinced him that they wanted to buy some electric goods from Rahim Pookkadassery. They also asked Kunjumohemed to bring Rahim near the Info Park at Kakkanad Edachira.
When Rahim Pookkadassery came to meet the accused, he was attacked with axe and lethal weapons. The attackers also threw bombs at him. The accused were charged under various sections of the IPC, including 120 (b) (Criminal conspiracy), 143 (Unlawful assembly), 147 and 148 (Rioting with deadly weapons), 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and Explosive Substance Act. Eleven accused were remanded in judicial custody by the JFCM on March 9. Four accused had obtained anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court.
The other accused Raizal, Safeeque and Sharafudeen are absconding. Shabeer was arrested in connection with a case registered by the Coimbatore city police on November 24, 2010.
He was remanded in judicial custody and sent to Salem central jail.
Though he had obtained bail about 20 days ago, he had to remain in the jail as the bail proceedings were not completed.