HAJ HOUSE IMAM ACQUITTED OF TERROR CHARGES

Maulana Mohammed Ghulam Yahya, the Imam of Haj House, who was arrested and charged with indulging in terror activities, was acquitted on January 16 by a Mumbai court, his lawyer D.U. Mirajkar said. Three others involved in the same case, have been found guilty and sentenced up to seven years in jail under various charges by Additional Sessions Judge V.P. Patkar of the Sewri fast track court. The Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had arrested the Maulana in January 2006 for criminal conspiracy, terrorism, harbouring terrorists and related issues, said his lawyer D.U. Mirajkar. “The Imam and the trio were arrested and charged under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act by the ATS. The charges against the Imam could not be proved and he was acquitted,” said Mirajkar. Shortly after the Imam stepped out of the court, a large crowd of prominent Muslims, including Maulana Ejaz Kashmiri, Imam of Handiwadi Mosque and Bombay Aman Committee President Farid Shaikh, greeted and hugged him.