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Prime accused in RSS hq blast case gets bail

Designated TADA court judge S Tamilvanan today granted bail to Rafiq Ahmed, prime accused in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters bomb blast case in Madras.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, probing the case, had arrested 12 persons in connection with the bomb blast at the RSS headquarters at Chetput, in central Madras, on August 8, 1993. Of the 12, one accused was granted bail earlier.

In his petition, Rafiq submitted that he, an accused under Section 20 (b) of TADA Act had been in judicial custody for more than five years.

Stating that he was innocent, he said he had not committed any offence and was never a supporter of any of the organisations -- the banned Al Umma or Jehad Committee.

The CBI, in its counter, said that he was an active member of the Jehad Committee and prayed for the dismissal of the bail petition saying that if he was released on bail he would flee from justice.

The judge, citing the Supreme Court's decision, said it was reasonable to enlarge Rafiq on bail as he had been in jail for more than five years in this case.

The judge directed him to execute a bond for Rs 100,000 with two sureties for a like sum to the satisfaction of this court. The other conditions were that he should report before the CBI office in Madras daily at 11 am until further orders. However, he could remain within the area of jurisdiction of this court pending trial and deposit his passport with this court, the judge added.

The judge directed him to furnish the sureties on or after November 10 so as to provide an opportunity to the CBI to prefer an appeal, if necessary, against this order.

UNI

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