Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today rejected the plea of Sayyed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, prime accused in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, to quash a Maharashtra Government Resolution (GR) which prohibited him from appearing in the courts as he had threat to his life.
Jundal's lawyer Ejaz Naqvi prayed that his client had a right under the Constitution to appear before the courts in cases filed against him because he had to defend himself.
A bench of Justices N H Patil and Anujha Prabhudessai said that there were many criminal cases pending against Jundal, such as 26/11 terror attack case, Aurangabad arms haul case and conspiracy to attack police training camp in Nasik.
“In view of the sensitive nature of the cases, there may be danger to Jundal's life as informed by police to the state and therefore the court cannot interfere by quashing the GR of the government. Moreover, the trial court had the powers to call him whenever necessary,” said the bench.
Government Pleader J P Yagnik said the Mumbai Police Commissioner had informed the state that Jundal had threat to his life. Thereafter, on May 23, 2013, the government came out with a GR imposing a ban on his appearance in cases in which he is an accused.
