After the Rajasthan Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) filed a chargesheet against alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Saif-ur-Rehman in the Jaipur serial blast case, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has taken his custody.

The Ahmedabad Sessions Court had granted 14 days police remand of the accused a week ago. He is currently being interrogated. “Saif-ur-Rehman was involved in the conspiracy along with other IM operatives for triggering off the blasts at 21 different places in Ahmedabad on July 26. He was also aware of the Surat blasts, which were supposed to take place on the same day but the explosive-laden car was caught,” said Ashish Bhatia, Joint Commissioner, Ahmedabad Crime Branch.

According to Bhatia, Saif had played an active role in planting the bombs. He had also confessed to his role in the UP court serial blast, which occurred on November 23, 2007.

Contrary to the police claims, Saif’s family insists that he is innocent and blames his arrest on the fact that he shares a common first name with one of the wanted men. “We will be challenging the chargesheet filed against Saif. The next hearing is on July 24 and our lawyer will give a befitting reply,” said Jia-ur-Rehman Ansari, brother of the accused.

He also claimed that they have collected enough evidence indicating that Saif was not present at those places on the dates mentioned in the chargesheet. The Rajasthan ATS Deputy Inspector General, Anand Srivastava, said: “The chargesheet against Saif-ur-Rehman has been drafted on the basis of the evidence and the details given by the accused.”

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