Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events in the Ghatkopar bomb blast case, prime accused and suspected SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) activist Imran Rehman on February 5 made a voluntary confession before a Magistrate.

His statement was recorded by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate C N Bansod, who initially refused to hear him.

Two days back, a Deputy Commissioner of Police had recorded his confession. He then sent the accused to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate for recording confession once again.

Earlier this morning (Feb 5), the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate C N Bansod, before whom he was produced, did not record his confession on the ground that his court was busy with computerisation. Later, he recorded Imran's confession following a directive from a special court.

The special court's directive came when he was produced for remand before designated judge A P Bhangale who took a serious view of Magistrate's conduct by refusing to record Imran's voluntary confession.

The judge directed police to produce the accused before the Magistrate immediately in the court or at his residence and remanded him to police custody till tomorrow. He felt the accused must be heard in this matter at once.

Imran was produced in "burkha" (veil) amidst tight security.

Police were tight-lipped about the alleged confession made by him to a Deputy Commissioner of Police. They submitted his confession in a sealed cover to the special court.

Imran was deported from Dubai in January end. Co-accused Mohammed Altaf was also deported later and booked under POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act).

PTI