Mumbai: In a fresh development, Mumbai police on October 13 arrested three prime suspects, of the August 25 bomb blast at Gateway of India, under Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA).

The suspects are Sayed Mohammed Hanif (40), his wife Fahimida (37) and associate Arshat Shafi Ahmed Ansari (26).

Hanif, Fahimida and Arshat were already in judicial custody in connection with July 28 Ghatkopar blast and were also suspected to be involved in the twin blast of August 25 at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar. However, they were arrested on October 13 in connection with Gateway of India explosion.

Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam informed the POTA court that all these accused had been identified by most of the witnesses, including the driver of the taxi which exploded at Gateway of India in South Mumbai.

He sought the permission of the court to arrest the accused in Gateway of India blast in view of the identification parade conducted by the police.

After the designated Judge A P Bhangale granted permission they were arrested and remanded to custody.

The accused were produced amidst tight security in the court.

In all, 53 persons were killed and more than 100 injured in the bomb blasts at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar.

PTI