Mumbai: Nine accused in the December 2, 2002 Ghatkopar blast were today (March 4, 2004) discharged by a Special Court due to lack of evidence against them.

However, the accused will continue to be under custody as they are involved in other bomb blast cases arising out of single conspiracy.

The designated judge, A P Bhangale, discharged the accused on a plea made by prosecutor Rohini Salian as there was no material against them. The accused were arrested under POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act).

The accused include Saquib Nachan, Haseeb Zuber Mullah, Asif Mulla, Ghulam Sattar Kotan, Farhan Khot, Mohammad Kamil Abbas Jamil, Noor Mohammad Ansari, Dr Anwar Ali Khan and Mohammad Nadeem Baloba.

The police had filed chargesheet earlier.

Two persons were killed and 21 injured when a powerful bomb exploded in a bus in suburban Ghatkopar on December 2, 2002.