Delhi HC blast: Court to frame charges against Wasim Akram Malik tomorrow

A court here is likely to frame charges tomorrow against Wasim Akram Malik, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged role in the terror attack at the Delhi High Court last year.

District Judge H S Sharma, who on September 4 had decided to frame charges against Malik under various penal provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substance Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, had fixed October 1 for the same.

The court had earlier declined the NIA's plea to try Malik under the stringent charge of waging war against India, saying merely because an e-mail referring to the release of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru was sent by the accused after the blast, it does not mean an offence against the state was committed.

The NIA had moved the Delhi High Court on September 18 against the trial court's order to drop the charge of waging war against India. The high court has issued notice to Malik seeking his response by October 16 on the NIA's plea.

The trial court had decided to frame charges for offences punishable under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (causing hurt) and 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the IPC against Malik.

It had also ordered framing of charges against Malik after finding prima facie evidence of his role in the September 7, 2011 terror attack at the high court's reception in which 15 people were killed and 79 others were injured.

The trial court, while deciding to frame charges against Malik, had referred to the statement of co-accused-turned approver Amir Abbas Dev to the magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC. Dev was also arrested for his alleged role in the case but had later turned approver and was granted pardon by the judge.

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