Convict in triple bomb blast in Bangla mosque held in Thane

THANE: A Bangladeshi who had allegedly jumped bail after being convicted in a triple bomb blast case in the neighbouring country has been arrested from Thane. The convict, Mofazzal Hussain (42) —alias Mofa Ali Kazi alias Mafijul Kera Ali Mandal—was caught near the Cidco bus stop near Thane railway station on Thursday. He was currently staying in Turbhe village in Navi Mumbai where he took up odd jobs to earn a living, said Nitin Thakre, senior inspector of the Thane crime branch.
Hussain had been convicted for triple bomb blasts that had taken place inside a mosque in Bangladesh in 2002, said an official from the Thane crime branch.One person had died the explosions. He hailed from Khulna state of Bangladesh.
While two bombs had exploded, the third had exploded in Hussain’s hand due two which he sustained major wounds to the left hand. Subsequently, the limb had to be amputated. In 2004, Hussain was arrested and a court in Bangladesh convicted him and sentenced him for life.
“The same year, he was granted bail on medical grounds. Since then, he was absconding from Bangladesh,” Thakre told TOI.
He moved to another part of his country and assumed a different name, Mafizul Keraali Mandal, and eventually fled to India. Sub-inspector Datta Sarak said that he initially lived in West Bengal and often visited Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
As he sneaked into the country without any valid travel documents, he has been charged under sections of the Indian Passport Act and the Foreign Nationals Act. A local magistrate has remanded Hussain in police custody till March 27, the police said.
The police said that Hussain has confessed to his involvement in the triple bomb blasts case that took place in the mosque in Bangladesh. The police said they have also verified the conviction order.
Sarak said that there were no no crimes against him in India. The police said that are also coordinating with the embassies in India to have Hussain repatriated to Bangladesh.