Mumbai:The special TADA court today directed release of two persons arrested by the CBI in the 1993 serial blasts case after the latter clarified to the court that it had been a case of mistaken identity.

The CBI today informed the Court that the two persons deported from Nepal on Saturday are not those wanted in the blasts case.

Special TADA Judge D U Mulla on Saturday remanded the two persons in judicial custody till today and had directed the CBI to verify the identity of the two.

The CBI had on Saturday claimed that the two, Riyaz Khatri and Ashfaq Ahmed Shah alias Salim Ghazi, were key aides of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and had played an important role in the 1993 serial blasts case.

However, today the CBI clarified to the court that it has been a case of mistaken identity and gave a clean chit to the duo.

"After verifications, the CBI has found that the two persons are not those accused against whom red corner notices have been issued and that they have no connection with the blasts or the underworld," special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam told PTI.

Nikam further said the CBI will bear the cost of sending the two persons back to Nepal.

Following the CBI s verification, the Court directed the release of the two men.
Source : PTI