MUMBAI: Aasiya Begum, mother of Khwaja Yunus — an accused in the Ghatkopar blasts case and missing since January 2003 — has gone on an indefinite dharna demanding justice for her son. Yunus disappeared under mysterious circumstances. She also demanded speedy trial in the case against the police personnel, accused of the alleged custodial death of Yunus.

`Many trips'

Ms. Begum started her fast at Azad Maidan here on Tuesday morning. She said that she had met so many people and made so many trips to different courts to seek justice. "They always told me that he was absconding. He was not someone who would do wrong and run away. He was well educated and was working at a good post with a reputed company in Dubai." She said they should at least "return the body of my son. I wish to perform the last rites as per my religion."

Ms. Begum wanted the accused police officers to be tried under POTA. "How did they get bail and let off within a few months?" She said she met Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil and other authorities, but has not received justice.

The matter was handed over for investigation to the State CID in May 2003. On March 3, 2004, the State CID arrested Assistant Police Inspector Vaze and charged him, along with three police constables, for murder. All of them are on bail. A charge sheet is yet to be filed.

Yunus was one of the 18 accused arrested for allegedly plotting the Ghatkopar blasts that killed two and left many injured on December 2, 2002.

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