Five people belonging to terror outfit Indian Mujahideen were found guilty in the 2013 Hyderabad twin blasts case by a special National Investigation Agency court. Sentencing, however, will take place on December 21. Those convicted include prime accused and co-founder of IM Yasin Bhatkal.
All five were convicted under under sections 302, 307, 324, 326, 121, 122, 201 read with 120B of the IPC, Sections 3 & 5 of The Explosives Substances Act and section 18, 19, 20, 38 (2), 39 (2) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.
However, accused number 1, Riyaz Bhatkal alias Mohammed Ismail Shahbandari (elder brother of Yasin Bhatkal) who is thought to be the key conspirator by the NIA, is still absconding.
The terror attack in Dilsukhnagar, a crowded shopping area in Hyderabad, had killed at least 18 people after two bombs exploded one after the other on the evening of February 21, 2013.
One of the blasts took place at the bus stop and another took place near the A1 Mirchi Center, a popular snack stall in the area. The blasts were triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) tied to two bicyles and was placed in highly crowded areas for maximum impact.
Yasin Bhatkal
Initially, the case was registered at the Saroornagar Police Station and was later transferred to the NIA.
The NIA had arrested accused Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi and Mohammed Ahmed Sidibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal from Bihar in August, 2013.
Later Zia ur Rahman alias Waqas alias Nabeel Ahmed and Tahseen Akhtar alias Monu alias Sameer were arrested in March, 2014 by a special cell of Delhi police and the Intelligence Bureau from Rajasthan.
Later, Ajaz Shaikh alias Samar Armaan Tunde alias Sagar alias Aizaz Saeed was arrested on September 5, 2014 from Uttar Pradesh.
During the course of the hearing, the NIA had submitted 201 pieces of evidence and produced 158 witnesses.
According to the NIA chargesheet, Riyaz had sent money to Asadullah Akhtar and Waqas through hawala channels who carried out the attack along with Tahseen Akhtar.
The bomb blast was triggered by IEDs mounted on two bicycles, the chargesheet said.