Jama Masjid attack: Police files chargesheet against Yasin Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar

Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and his aide Asadullah Akhtar were on Saturday chargesheeted by Delhi Police in connection with the September 2010 Jama Masjid terror attack case in which two Taiwani tourists had sustained bullet injuries.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police filed its final report before Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash against the two top IM men under various sections of the IPC including 307 (attempt to murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act.

The police claimed in the charge sheet that IM's Indian chief Yasin Bhatkal was instructed by Pakistan-based handlers to carry out terror attacks just before the beginning of 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) which were held in Delhi.

It said the conspiracy for the attack was hatched to "dissuade foreign nations from participating in the same (CWG) and to portray the image of India, the host nation, as a weak and disturbed nation".

The police said that in pursuance to the conspiracy, Yasin had procured one carbine and one pistol and the initial plan was to target foreign tourists at the German Bakery at Paharganj in New Delhi.

It further said that in mid 2010, accused Qateel Siddiqui, who had died under mysterious circumstances in Pune Yerawada Jail in 2012, had hurt himself due to accidental firing of the carbine and the plan to strike at German Bakery was aborted.

It said thereafter, Yasin Bhatkal planned to carry out terror strike at the Jama Masjid and on September 19, 2010, IM operatives opened fire at tourists deboarding a bus near gate number 3 of the mosque.

Bhatkal had also planted a pressure cooker IED in a car outside the Jama Masjid and a mild explosion had taken place after the firing incident, it said. The court has now fixed the charge sheet for scrutiny on April 30.

The police had told the court that on September 19, 2010, two bikers had fired on tourists at the gate of Jama Masjid in Old Delhi area and two Taiwanese, Ku-Ze-Wei and Ko-chiange, had sustained bullet injuries whereas a bomb was fitted in a car parked in the area.

Bhatkal and Akhtar were arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Indo-Nepal border on the night of August 28 last year. They were wanted for their roles in a string of terror attacks in the country.

The court had earlier in March allowed the plea of police seeking 15 days time to complete its probe against Bhatkal and Akhtar.