2002 Ghatkopar blast accused Irfan discharged by POTA court

Mumbai: A designated Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court on Tuesday discharged Irfan Qureshi from 2002 Ghatkoper blast case after the Crime Branch unit X of the Mumbai police filed a report under section 169 of CrPC informing the court that they could not find any evidence against Qureshi. Qureshi was arrested three months back and close to 16 years after the blasts.

Judge S.M. Bhosle discharged Qureshi on Tuesday when he was supposed to hear Qureshi’s bail application filed by advocate Tahera Qureshi, Mubin Solkar and Yakub Shaikh. The bail application was filed on the ground that the investigating agency has failed to file chargesheet against the accused within stipulated time of 90 days and hence he is entitled for bail.

However, before the hearing could take place on bail application the ACP Abhay Shastri of Crime Branch filed report under section 169 (release of accused when evidence deficient) of CrPC, which the judge accepted and ordered Qureshi’s release.

The judge in the order said, “It appears that, there is no sufficient evidence to prosecute further, the accused is hereby discharged and released. ” While discharging Qureshi the court also allowed his application for return of his passport, laptop and other seized items.