NEW DELHI: Hours after delivering verdict in the 2007 Makkah Masjid blast case, special NIA judge has reportedly resigned.
Judge K Ravinder Reddy citing personal reasons, submitted his resignation to Chief Justice of Andhra High court in the evening, but the timing of the decision has raised questions.
Special NIA judge Ravindra Reddy who delivered the #MeccaMasjidVerdict resigns. pic.twitter.com/ybxV2lHoAD
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018
Earlier in the day, he had acquitted five accused including right-wing activist Swami Aseemanand, citing lack of evidence provided by the NIA against them.
ALSO READ: Makkah Masjid blast case: All accused including Aseemanand, acquitted
The powerful explosion had killed nine people and injured more than 50 during the Friday prayers at the 17th century mosque near the iconic Charminar on May 18, 2007.
The National Investigation Agency court held that none of the charges framed against the accused, including Swamy Aseemanand, had been proved, a lawyer for one of the accused told reporters outside the Nampally criminal court complex.
Righwing Hindu activists Nabakumar Sarkar alias Swamy Aseemanand, Devender Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar alias Bharat Bhai and Rajender Chowdhary, against whom the charges were framed, were all acquitted.
Agencies inputs