Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, along with four others, has been convicted in the 2013 Hyderabad blasts case by a special court set up for cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
The special court had framed charges against Bhatkal, Pakistani national Zia-ur-Rahman alias Waqas, Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, Tahaseen Akhtar alias Monu and Aijaz Sheikh for their involvement in the twin blasts in Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad that killed 18 people and injured another 131. They are currently lodged in the Cherlapally Prison.
The NIA had arrested Bhatkal from near the India-Nepal border in August 2013.
Prime accused Riyaz Bhatkal, who is the founder of IM, is still absconding. The five accused underwent trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and other relevant acts including the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Twin explosions near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in Dilsukhnagar, the largest commercial and residential centre in Hyderabad, claimed the lives of 18 people and injured 131 others on February 21, 2013.
