Indore, Jul 8 The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday granted the state government's lawyer a week's time to obtain instructions on a plea seeking an NIA probe into a van explosion during a Muharram procession in Ujjain district.
Justices Subodh Abhyankar and Alok Awasthi of the Indore bench of the High Court were hearing a public interest litigation filed by Sumit Hardia, a right-wing leader from Indore.
Jayesh Gurnani, the petitioner's lawyer, argued that the incident which took place in Badnagar town fell under the category of scheduled offences under the National Investigation Ageny Act, 2008.
Additional Advocate General Rahul Sethi requested a week's time from the division bench to obtain instructions from the state government in the matter. The court accepted the request, adjourning the hearing to July 15.
The petition also sought strict legal action against the perpetrators, and formulation of comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during religious processions.
A van, suspended from a crane at a height of about 40 feet, was blown up with firecrackers during a Muharram procession in Badnagar town on the night of June 23 and 24.
Police have arrested nine persons in the case. Three of them have been booked under the stringent National Security Act.
