Pak national, 4 others put on trial in terror case

Five suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives, including a Pakistani national, arrested for allegedly conspiring to kidnap businessmen from various places to raise funds to carry out terror strikes in the national Capital, were on Tuesday put on trial by a Delhi court.

The court framed charges against Pakistani national Arshad Khan, Md Shahid, Md Rashid, Abdul Subhan and his nephew Ashabuddin for alleged offences punishable under section 120-B of IPC and under sections 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Khan, who is lodged in Kolkata Jail in connection with shoe baron Partha Roy Burman kidnapping case of 2001, was not produced before ASJ Reetesh Singh today after which the court posted the matter for February 3 for formal framing of charges against him. The court has directed that Khan be produced before it on the next date of hearing through video conferencing. Section 18 of UAPA pertains to punishment for conspiracy, while section 20 relates to punishment for being a member of terrorist organisation.