2007 Macca Masjid bomb blast witnesses yet to identify accused

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Out of the 76 witnesses examined so far during the trial in the Macca Masjid bomb blast case in the NIA special court at Nampally, no one has identified the accused, including Lokesh Sharma (who is also facing trial in Malegaon blast case).

However, crucial witnesses are yet to be examined in the case, said sources. The blast at Macca Masjid on May 18, 2007, had killed nine and injured 58.

NIA special public prosecutor Mr N. Harinath said, “So far 76 witnesses have been examined, of them, around 30 were victims who were injured in the blast. The victims spoke about attending the prayers, and when and how the blast took place. Other witnesses were the cellphone and SIM card sellers who deposed in the NIA court, which is the fourth additional MSJ court. So far no witness has identified the accused. But crucial witnesses in the case are yet to be examined.”

He added that two of the accused in the Mecca Masjid case are also accused in the Malegaon blast case.

List of accused

1 Devendra Gupta @ Bobby

2 Lokesh Sharma @ Ajay Tiwari

3 Nabakumar Sarkar @ Swamy Asimanand

4 Bharat Mohanlal Rateswar @ Bharat Bhai

5 Rajendhar Chowdary

6 Sandeep V Dange (absconding)

7 Ramchandra Kalsangra