RailEnquiry

Bombay High Court today issued a notice to Maharashtra Government seeking response to a plea filed by an accused in the July 2006 train bombings who wants Anti-Terrorism Squad to provide information to him relating to investigations into the terror attack.Ethesham Siddiqui, one of the arrested accused, moved the HC after the public information officer of city police rejected his application under the Right to Information Act.Siddiqui had sought details of entires made into ATS station diaries during preliminary inquiry in the serial blasts from July 11, 2006 to November 1, 2006.He also wanted copies of press notes and media briefings of the investigating agency in respect of the blasts case."Ethesham's application under RTI was rejected on the ground that ATS falls under the purview of state intelligence and hence information regarding its investigations cannot be revealed," said advocate Rohan Surve, the court-appointed amicus curie in the case.A Division Bench headed by Justice D D Sinha, while issuing notice to the Government asked, "What is so confidential about the details the petitioner is seeking?"The matter has been posted for further hearing on December 18.Seven bombs went off in first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11, 2006 killing 188 persons and injuring several others. Over a dozen persons have been arrested in connection with the serial blasts.