SIMI activists get 7-yr jail term for looting bank

BHOPAL: A special court in Madhya Pradesh sentenced two Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists to seven years in jail and a fine of ₹4,000 for stealing a motorcycle and using it to loot a bank in 2010.

A third accused in the case, Mohammad Aslam, alias Bilal died in an encounter with the Telangana police. The order against Abu Faizal and Sharafat Ali was passed by special judge Girish Dixit on Tuesday. According to prosecution, the incident took place on January 28, 2010 between 3 and 4 pm near the State Bank of India, Itarsi. A power department staffer, Kamlesh Rathore, complained to police that his motorcycle had been stolen. During investigation, police found the number plate of the motorcycle was changed and the three accused looted the Bank of Baroda, Nagda near Ujjain. They changed the number plate of the motorcycle again and attempted to kill Bherulal Tonk.

The three accused have been charged with theft, dacoity, cheating, forgery, conspiracy to commit murder. Faizal is already facing a life term for breaking out of Khandwa jail and being involved in the killing ATS constable Sitaram Yadav. He has been convicted in two other cases — a sentence of three years each.

THE ORDER AGAINST ABU FAIZAL AND SHARAFAT ALI WAS PASSED BY SPECIAL JUDGE GIRISH DIXIT