Terrorism is equivalent to waging war: Police tells court

Delhi police today urged a court here to frame stringent charges against suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists for their alleged involvement in serial blasts in the capital in 2008 saying terrorism is equivalent to waging a war against the country.

"Having been involved in carrying out serial blasts, the accused threatened the sovereignty, integrity and unity of the country. Terrorism is equivalent to waging a war against the country during peace," public prosecutor Rajeev Mohan told additional sessions judge Santosh Snehi Mann.

Referring to the conduct of the accused, phone call details records and intercepted conversation, he submitted there was sufficient material to "safely" conclude that the accused were linked to a banned terror organisation involved in carrying out subversive and terrorist activities.

The prosecutor, who concluded his arguments on the framing of charges, referred to a number of the apex court judgements to argue that the trial court was not required to go into "meticulous examination of the evidence" at the stage.

"The documents referred to or produced by the defence would not be looked into until and unless they completely wash out the case of the prosecution. A roving and fishing inquiry is impermissible at the framing of charge stage," Mohan said.

During his over two-hour argument, the prosecutor, once again, pointed out the phone call records to establish links of the arrested accused among themselves.

He also related the turn of events involving the alleged escape of one of accused Shahzad during Batla House encounter in Delhi on September 19, six days after the serial blasts in the capital.

Mohan also pointed to the conduct of other accused including that of one Mohd Hakim who allegedly carried ball bearings from Lucknow to the capital at the instance of Atif Ameen killed in Batla House encounter before the blasts.

He also discussed the role of each accused to seek their prosecution under various provisions of IPC, Explosive Substance Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Meanwhile, the court, which conducted the proceedings through video conferencing as 11 out of 14 accused arrested so far are lodged in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad, put the matter for July 30 for the defence to put forth their arguments in the matter.

Three accused Mohd Hakim, Sahzad and Salman are at present lodged in Tihar jail in Delhi.

All the accused have been chargesheeted under various provisions of IPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosive Substances Act.