Very happy terrorist tag removed, says Fahim's wife
The SC on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of two Indians - Fahim Arshad Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed Sheikh - linked by the Mumbai police to the 26/11 attacks as conspirators, bringing joy and relief to their families.
The SC on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of two Indians - Fahim Arshad Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed Sheikh - linked by the Mumbai police to the 26/11 attacks as conspirators, bringing joy and relief to their families.
"I am very happy with the verdict since it has come from the highest court in the land," said Ansari's wife Yasmin, adding that the "tag of terrorist" on her husband had been removed.
Yasmin said she was looking forward to meeting her husband, who is in Bareilly central prison for alleged involvement in an attack on a CRPF camp at Rampur in UP in 2007.
"We have moved the bail application and are hoping to see him back home soon," said Yasmin. She hoped the charges against her husband in the CRPF camp attack case would be dismissed in court.
"It is the only case pending against him."
Sheikh's family is now in Delhi. Advocate Ejaz Naqvi who represented Sheikh said his client's family was very happy with the apex court order.
"However, he still has two cases against him. In those cases too, the evidence against him is not strong," Naqvi added.
The verdict - upholding the clean chit to Ansari, 36, and Sheikh, 25, first by the special court of judge ML Tahaliyani and then the Bombay HC - left the Mumbai Police crime branch red-faced. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam put up a brave face, saying the two were let off because of insufficient evidence.
"No doubt prosecution could not establish the charge against Fahim and Sabauddin for want of sufficient evidence. There is a difference between no evidence and insufficient evidence," he said.
(With PTI inputs)