Hyderabad: It has been fifteen years since the blast in the city’s Makkah Masjid but justice remains yet to be served to the victims and their families.
On May 18 in 2007, a blast took place in Old City’s Makka Masjid that left 16 dead and as many as 58 persons were injured, who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Four years ago, five accused were arrested for their alleged involvement in the bomb blast, however, they were later acquitted. Following the explosion, the Hussaini Alam police department filed a complaint under sections 302 (punishment for murder), 307 (Attempt to murder), and 120 B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. Sections of the Explosive Substances Act were also used.
On May 25, 2007, another lawsuit was filed. The case was then re-registered and investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and was then turned over to the NIA.
Siasat.com spoke to the victims of the case, Abdul Wajeed and Dr Junaid Ibrahim who were arrested after the bomb blast.
Dr Junaid Ibrahim said that he was in jail at least for a year illegally and was also allegedly tortured without any proof. They arrested me in another case but later tried to put the blame on me.
“At the time of the blast I was in the masjid, my lecturer was injured. I was helping him to reach the hospital. I still have some hope we want justice. We want real offenders in the jail,” said Ibrahim.
He also added that whenever a crime takes place in India the police always blame Muslims, “I missed out on a year of my education because of this case. The allegations also affected me emotionally, and physically.”
Another victim of the blast Abdul Wajeed while narrating his ordeal to Siasat.com said that he could never forget the incident and what followed.
“I can’t forget what happened to me in 2007 after the police took me in the custody illegally and tortured me for continuous 18 days. I could never see the sun or the moonlight,” said Abdul Wajeed.
He further added that after being granted bail, following a year of imprisonment, the police did not stop torturing him for four years.
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