A Session Court has convicted the accused and Indian Mujahideen operative, Ariz Khan alias Junaid in connection to the Batla House encounter of 2008. Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma and two alleged terrorists were killed during the encounter.
Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav announced the verdict and convicted him under Section 186, Section 333, Section 353, Section 302, Section 307, Section 174A , Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 27 of Arms Act.
“The evidence adduced on record by the prosecution leaves no matter of doubt that the prosecution has proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt and that the accused is liable to be convicted. It has been proved that the accused Ariz Khan managed to escape during shootout and failed to appear before court despite proclamation. Accordingly, the accused is held guilty and convicted under sec. 186, 333, 353, 302, 307, 174A , 34 of IPC and 27 of Arms Act,” noted the bench.
The court is going to decide the quantum of sentence on March 16.
The National Capital was under terror on 13 September, 2008 when five bombs exploded in five different locations including Connaught place, Karol Bagh, Greater Kailash, and India Gate.
In the matter, Additional public prosecutor AT Ansari appeared for the state while advocate MS Khan was appearing for the accused, Ariz Khan.
The court also vide a separate order at the outset directing the investigation officer to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the financial condition of the accused and his family to grant compensation to the victims.
Ariz Khan was declared an offender after he escaped from the site. He was arrested from Banbasa, Uttrakhand bordering Nepal in 2018. As per the police, he had acquired Nepali citizenship card and passport under a fake identity proof of Mohammad Salim.
