The police custody of three persons accused of carrying out blasts near the Gateway of India, in Zaveri Bazaar (both August 25) and in Ghatkopar (July 28) was on Monday extended till September 26.
Ashrat Shafique Ansari, Sayyed Mohammed Hanif and Fahmida Hanif were produced before the Prevention of Terrorism Act court of Judge A P Bhangle amidst tight security.
The Blasts in Mumbai: The Complete Coverage
Public prosecutor Ujjawal Nikam requested the judge to extended the custody because the police wanted to get details of the absconding accused from the three.
Nikam said, "The police are working to nab the person who is behind the curtain and who masterminded the blasts."
Their interrogation might lead the police to some international links, the prosecutor said.
"These people also have some links in Gujarat and Hyderabad," he added.
Sushan Kunjuraman, representing Ansari, requested the court to ask the police to give the case-related documents.
He told the court that his client's first name was Ashrat, and not Arshad, as reported by the police and media. He also produced Ansari's identity card issued by the election commission.
In another development, the court allowed the police to destroy explosives seized from the accused.
Later, Kunjuraman told the media, "My client has been victimised by the police and he is innocent."
Nikam told the media that one of the accused in the case, who was killed in an encounter with the police recently, was part of the team that hatched the plots. The clarification came because the police had claimed that he had masterminded the attacks.
