2005 blast convict gets bail in PMLA case

Days after convicting Tarique Ahmed Dar in the 2005 Sarojini Nagar market blast, which claimed 67 lives and left over 200 injured, a Delhi court on Monday granted him bail in a related money laundering case, registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

"Perusal of the complaint filed by the ED reveals that the prosecution of Dar for the offences under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are based on the same banking transactions that were relied upon by the prosecution with respect to his charge under Section 17 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Dar stands acquitted with respect to the charge under this section," Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh said.

The ED had registered a case against Dar for possessing proceeds of crime, which was punishable under the PMLA.

ASJ Singh granted bail to Dar on a personal bond of Rs 25,000. The maximum sentence under Section 4 of the PMLA is seven years and the accused has already served five years and five months in jail.

The court also acquitted Rafiq Shah and Mohammad Hussain Fazili, after they served 12 years for allegedly organising the blasts.