RSS blast case: CBI yet to appoint new prosecutor

By K. T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, SEPT. 8. Three months have rolled by after the resignation of the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in the sensational case pertaining to the bomb explosion at the RSS headquarters at Chetput here. But, the CBI is yet to appoint a new prosecutor to handle the case.Because of the vacancy, the trial has come to a grinding halt. The accused including the Al- Umma (since banned) founder, Mr. S. A. Basha, are also worked up over the delay in the proceedings, official sources say.

In view of the need for adjourning the case at every hearing as the vacancy has not been filled, it is said the court has also taken up the matter with the CBI authorities, who, in turn, have addressed the agency's headquarters.

A powerful bomb blast brought down a big portion of the three- storeyed headquarters building of the RSS in August, 1993 killing about a dozen persons and injuring seven. The case, which was initially registered by the Chetput police, was transferred to the CB-CID. It was taken over by CBI following a request by the State Government. Eighteen persons, including Ahmed Ali, popularly known as Palani Baba (since deceased), figure as accused in the chargesheet filed before the Designated Court for TADA Cases. A total of 431 witnesses were cited by the prosecution.

The then SPP, Mr. A. V. Somasundaram, who was handling the `disproportionate wealth case' against Ms. Jayalalithaa, submitted his resignation soon after the AIADMK Government came to power in the State. He also put in his papers in the `RSS bomb blast case' on May 16 citing ``personal reasons'' for his decision to resign. From then on, trial could not be continued and the case is being adjourned during every hearing. The case was last taken up on August 20 and was adjourned to September 17.

The sources say that it is indeed a tough time for the police during every hearing as tight security has to be provided for the accused and also bandobust arrangements to be made in the court.

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Section  : Southern States
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