2008 blasts: Suspected IM operative sent to police custody till June 2

New Delhi: Suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Faizan Ahmed Sultan, who was arrested early this month after being deported from Sharjah, was today remanded in police custody till June 2 by a court here in connection with

a 2008 Delhi serial blasts case.

Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash sent Sultan to police custody for five days after the special cell of Delhi Police said he was required to be interrogated in connection with the serial blasts case.

55-year-old Sultan was earlier arrested here by National Investigation Agency(NIA) in connection with a separate case of waging war against the country.

The special cell had recently charge sheeted 29 suspected top IM operatives, including its co-founders Yasin Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, in two separate cases of September 13, 2008 serial blasts here.

These 29 accused were charge sheeted for various offences punishable under the IPC, Explosive Substances Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Information Technology Act.

Out of the 29 accused, 16 accused, including Yasin Bhatkal and his close aide Asadullah Akhtar, have been arrested by the probe agencies while 11 others are absconding.

Two of the charge sheeted accused -- Mohd Atif Ameen and Mohd Sajid -- were shot dead by the special cell in the September 19, 2008 Batla House encounter.

13 suspected members of IM are facing trial in cases of September 2008 Delhi serial blasts that had claimed 26 lives and left 135 people injured.

Five cases were lodged in connection with the blasts at Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place, M-Block Market in Greater Kailash and recovery of a bomb near India Gate.

All the five cases were clubbed by the trial court for the purpose of framing of charges and trial, saying, "They arise from the series of the same transaction."