Akela
ABDUL Mateen Damada alias Farooq an alleged hawala operator on Friday was discharged by the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court. Damada suspected to be involved in the July 2011 Mumbai triple blasts case.
Speaking to media special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam confirmed about acquittal of Damada. “The evidence collected against him during the course of investigation was not sufficient. Special MCOCA Judge Y D Shinde discharged him,” said Nikam.
According to anti-terrorist officials Damada was arrested from Goa airport on July 15. He had allegedly supplied Rs 10 lakhs from Dubai through hawala channels to suspected Indian Mujahideen Co-founder Yasin Bhatkal to carry out the blasts.
On July 13, 2011, three powerful blasts had ripped through crowded areas in Mumbai, killing at least 21 people and injuring 141. The first explosion had rocked Zaveri Bazar at 6:50 PM. A minute later, another blast in busy business area Opera House. The third blast ripped at crowded Dadar (West) area at 7:04 PM.