Maha govt fears threat to Jundal’s life: NIA tells court

The Maharashtra government apprehends that suspected top Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Abu <g data-gr-id="18">Jundal</g>, an alleged mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, could be assassinated or kidnapped by rivals during his transit from jail to court, the NIA has told a Delhi court.

In an application moved before District Judge Amar Nath, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that <g data-gr-id="23">Jundal</g> alias Sayed <g data-gr-id="24">Zabiuddin</g> Ansari, who is presently lodged in Arthur Road jail in Mumbai, could not be produced before the court here on several occasions despite issuance of production warrant against him.

NIA had <g data-gr-id="15">chargesheeted</g> <g data-gr-id="16">Jundal</g> here for allegedly conspiring to carry out terror activities in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and Aurangabad arms haul case.

In the plea, the agency said the proceedings in the case lodged here <g data-gr-id="12">was</g> required to be expedited and the trial could be commenced through video conferencing.

Referring to a resolution passed by Maharashtra government in May 2013, the NIA said it “exclude the personal appearance of the accused Sayed <g data-gr-id="22">Zabiuddin</g> Ansari....after taking into consideration request of Commissioner of Police, Mumbai to exclude the above-mentioned accused person from the personal appearance before court in various cases registered against him due to possibility of assassination bid on the life of accused by rival group or a bid to kidnap.”