Former Hyderabad court Judge, who pronounced Mecca Masjid blast verdict likely to join BJP
As Telangana is soon to witness elections reports suggest that former judge K Ravinder Reddy who pronounced a verdict on Mecca Masjid blast case and acquited Swami Aseemanand and others in the case as fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Nampally, Hyderabad Court is likely to join BJP.
The 2007 massive bomb blast case that had rocked the historic 17th century Mecca Masjid near Charminar on May 18. In the blast, around nine people were killed and 58 were left injured. In 2009, the case was handed over to the CBI, who probed the activities of right-wing sympathisers.
Five right-wing activists were accused in the case were Swami Aseemanand, Devendra Gupta, Lokesh Sharma (also accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts), Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar alias Bharat Bhai and Rajendra Chowdhary. All the five accused were acquitted by Reddy.
However, the reports of Reddy joining BJP has triggered out new controversy. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the judge was rewarded for giving a favourable verdict in the case, saying, "Yes, the retired judge saheb we knew where you were heading and you will certainly be rewarded by Supreme Leader and Aseemanand and Co. will campaign for you, I hope you lose your deposit."
However, the BJP has rubbished the claim that Reddy has joined its ranks. "He came and met party president Amit Shah during his recent visit to Hyderabad. But the party has not decided anything on him, whether to employ his services or not," said state BJP president K Laxman.
First published: 22 September 2018, 12:26 IST