Ahmedabad: A POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) court today (Jun 17, 2004) framed charges against 34 people for their alleged role in the sensational Akshardham temple attack, which claimed 33 lives two years ago.

The court framed charges against six persons in custody of crime branch, including Kashmir-based terrorist Chand Khan and 28 others who are still absconding.

Also among the absconding is high-profile terrorist Abu Hamza, who has been arrested by the UK police for other offences, and city based cleric Mufti Sufiyan Patangiyan.

Patangiyan is wanted for allegedly conspiring the assassination of Gujarat BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Haren Pandya.

POTA judge Sonia Gokani said that recording of evidence in the case would begin from July one and in the process close to 400 crucial witnesses would be examined.

Defence advocates, however, said that the prosecution had framed false charges and demanded a CBI inquiry into the case.

Terror struck the world famous temple premises when two heavily armed "fidayeens" stormed inside and randomly opened fire at devotees with automatic weapons on Sept 24, 2002.

A crack team of the National Security Guard (NSG) had to be air dashed to Gandhinagar and after hours of cross fire they managed to kill the terrorists by daybreak.