Following Intelligence reports that there was a threat to the life of arrested Dubai-based don Aftab Ansari, the police, at the last minute, decided not to produce him in court on Tuesday. Instead, they wanted to serve him copies of the chargesheet in his cell.
But the city court did not agree to the decision. Sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Alipore, Suranjan Kundu ordered the police to produce Ansari, prime accused in the Parthapratim Roy Barman abduction, before him on October 11.
Ansari, now lodged in Presidency jail, had earlier informed the court that he wanted to receive the copy of his chargesheet personally. Sources in the CID said there were rumours that the don’s associates would try to snatch him or even kill him on the court premises. “With a high-profile prisoner like Ansari, we did not want to take chances,” a senior CID officer said.
The CID sleuths said they would also petition for Ansari’s trial in a special court with in-camera proceedings. “We can ensure foolproof security in a special court, which is not possible in a open place like Alipore court,” said a special superintendent of police.
Earlier, on October 4, sub-divisional judicial magistrate Kundu had ordered the police to submit copies of chargesheet to all the accused, including Ansari, also a key suspect in the American Center attack on January 22. Nearly a dozen policemen were killed in the shootout.
Besides Ansari, the judge also ordered the police to produce the other accused on October 11, when the case will come up for a sessions trial. Of the total 35 accused, 27 are presently in custody. The remaining eight are still absconding.
Khadim’s vice-chairman Barman was kidnapped on July 25 from the Tiljala area. He returned home with bullet injuries after 11 days in captivity.
nYouth run over on pavement: A thirty-year-old youth was killed on Tuesday morning when a Matador spun out of control and climbed the pavement at the intersection between Strand Road and Woodburn Road. The youth was declared dead at Medical College and Hospital. The driver of the Matador has been arrested.
