NIA files chargesheet in Samjhauta blasts case

CHANDIGARH: TheNational Investigation Agencyon Monday filed a chargesheet against five accused - Naba Kumar Sarkar alias Swami Asimanand, Sunil Joshi (now dead), Lokesh Sharma, Sandeep Dange alias Parmanand and Ramchandra Kalasangra alias Ramji alias Vishnu Patel - in theSamjhauta Expressblasts case at a special court in Panchkula.

The case pertains to the criminal conspiracy which resulted in bomb blasts in the train near Panipat on February 18, 2007.

This blast and the consequent fire in the train coaches resulted in the loss of 68 lives and injuries to 12 train passengers including women and children travelling in the train. In this terror strike, not only Indian civilians and government officials got killed and injured, but a large number of Pakistani nationals who were passengers also lost their lives. The explosion and consequent fire in the train resulted in the incineration and destruction of several train coaches, thus causing huge loss to the property of the Indian Railways.

The Samjhauta Express is a bi-weekly train that runs on Wednesdays and Sundays - betweenDelhiand Attari inIndiaandLahoreinPakistan.

The initial investigation into these bomb blasts was done by GRP/ SIT Haryana Police. The NIA took over the investigation of the case in July last year.

NIA after taking over the case conducted investigation in various parts of the country including Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, U.P., Bihar, Jharkhand and M.P. to unravel the conspiracy hatched by the criminals to perpetrate this acts.

The investigation conducted by NIA over a period of almost one year established that, the entire conspiracy was hatched between 2005 and 2007 by the accused Swami Asimanand, Sunil Joshi (now dead) and his associates like Ramji, Sandeep Dange,Lokesh Sharma and others at different places in Gujarat, M.P. and other places.

Investigation has further brought out that Asimanand was quite upset with the Jehadi/terrorist attacks on temples - Akshardham (Gujarat), Raghunath Mandir (Jammu) and Sankat Mochan Mandir (Varanasi). He used to ' give vent to' his feelings while discussing with Sunil Joshi and his associates. Over a period of time, they developed a deep vengeance against not only the Jehadi terrorists but unfortunately against an entire minority community as such. As a result, Asimanand propounded a "bomb ka badla bomb" theory. Samjhauta train was particularly chosen, as most of the passengers who travel in it are Pakistani citizens. Asimanand not only provided financial and logistical support to the terror group which executed this dastardly act but also played a vital role in instigating and motivating his associates to undertake this terrorist act. Sandeep Dange, Ramji and Lokesh Sharma and others under the leadership of Sunil Joshi were instrumental in not only procuring the raw materials for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) but also getting these fabricated and planted in the target. Investigation has brought out strong suspicion about the role of some more persons in the conspiracy as well and therefore further investigation in the case will be continued.

On the basis of evidence collected, charge sheet has been filed against 5 accused ( 2 in judicial custody, 1 dead, 2 absconding) under sections 120 B r/w 302, 307,324,326,124 A, 438 & 440 of IPC, Section 150, 151,152 of Railways Act, Section 3, 4,6 of Explosive Substances Act 1908 and Section 3, 4 of Prevention of damage of Public property Act 1984 and Section 13,15,16,17, 18, 19 & 23 of UA(P) Act.

"Investigation is still on to arrest the absconding accused who are still evading arrest and determine who were the other accused persons involved in this dastardly crime", said the agency.

The NIA had announced a reward of Rs. 10 lac each on the absconding Ramji and Sandeep Dange and Rs 2 lac on Amit @ Prince who is also a key suspect and whose exact role in the crime is among the subjects of further investigation.

source: TOI