The Student Islamic Movement of India (Simi) on Tuesday asked the Special Tribunal to lift the ban on the organisation as there are no fresh cases against it. The counsel for the Simi, Mr Mobin Akhtar, said "The police are targeting two families from Hyderabad in a terror case. They are Moulana Naseeruddin and Mohatasim Billa."
The Special Tribunal, which was held at the Hyderabad District Collectorate, was headed by the Delhi High Court judge , Justice Gita Mittal. Police inspectors Mr N. Ganesh, Mr Mohammed Jameeluddin and Mr Sadique Ahmed filed affidavits seeking continuation of the ban. Mr Akhtar said, "In all the cases placed before the tribunal, the name of Simi was not mentioned directly. There are no fresh cases against the organisation. The case of Billa pertains to 2004. In his confession statement, Billa said he knew a few Simi members but he was not a member of the organisation. Confessions before the police is always questionable."
Another counsel for Simi, Mr Jawahar Raja, cross-examined the witnesses and alleged that the confession statements are concocted and none of the Simi activists are involved in violence
