Arms case accused

Zabiuddin Ansari tells court that prosecution in Aurangabad arms haul case failed to prove his identity, a defence he has also used in 26/11 attacks case

being heard before the Mumbai sessions court.

A native of Beed district of Maharashtra, Ansari was arrested following his deportation from Saudi Arabia in June 2012 by the Delhi police, who claimed he is Jundal. In the meantime, ATS arrested him in connection with the Aurangabad arms haul case in 2012 as accused No. 22.

According to the prosecution, Ansari came to Aurangabad on May 8, 2006, and stayed at the MLA Hostel along with the other accused. They later went to Nashik on May 9, 2006. There they met one accused Junaid and unloaded a tempo and gave a Tata Sumo car loaded with 10 cartons filled with arms, to some of the accused. (see box)

The trial in the case is in its final stages and the prosecution has already closed its case. In the written arguments submitted, the defence alleged the prosecution has not proved his identity. “Neither has Ansari’s identity been confirmed, nor has any test identification parade been conducted. The confession statements include the name Jabi Ansari, but they have not been corroborated,” reads the written submission.

Special public prosecutor Vaibhav Baghade claimed there was enough evidence to prove his identity, which has been placed before the court. Baghade said, “The key circumstance that can go against him is his silence when he was taken into custody in the case. He did not raise any objection or contest his identity at the earlier stage when he was taken on a production warrant. Further, there are confession statements against him. He has also been identified by one of his relatives as Jabi Ansari and Jundal’s mobile number has also been linked to him.”