By Kevin M. Mathewson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

MUMBAI, India — A manhunt has been launched in Mumbai, India after a suspected member of the militant group Indian Mujahideen (IM) escaped from court on Friday.

Afzal Usmani, a Mujahideen operative accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings, escaped from a special Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) court after a major security lapse.

Usmani had erlier tried to escape from a crime branch headquarters after his initial arrest in 2008.

Sometime after lunch on Friday, drama unfolded in the courtroom. As a lawyer began his argument, a police escort rushed in and informed the special judge that Usmani was missing. The court then decided to defer the framing of charges till September 25. Arrest warrants have been issued for Usmani’s arrest.

Along with Usmani, four other suspects accused in the Ahmedabad bombings, who are currently out on bail, also appeared before the court.

Special Judge AL Pansare termed the escape a “serious offense”. “It is negligence on the part of the escort team which brought the accused to court,” the judge said.

Usmani was one of 21 IM members arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy after the 2008 bombings in Ahmedabad and Surat. It’s alleged that Usmani was involved in stealing four cars that were used to transport the explosives to Ahmedabad and Surat. Nearly 50 people died in 17 blasts in Ahmedabad.

Faiz Usmani, Afzal’s brother, died after questioning by police in connection with the Mumbai blasts of 2011. The Usmani family alleges that he had been tortured, but an autopsy determined that he died of a heart attack.

The escape of Afzal Usmani raises serious question about police negligence and the security system in place for transporting inmates to and from jail.

For further information, please see:

BBC News – India hunt as terror suspect Afzal Usmani flees Mumbai court – 20 September 2013

The Indian Express – Indian Mujahideen operative, arrested in Guj blasts case, escapes from Mumbai court – 20 September 2013

The Times of India – Usmani, who fled from court, helped crack IM module in Mahrashtra – 20 September 2013

The Economic Times – Indian Mujahideen operative Afzal Usmani escapes from Mumbai court – 20 September 2013

Hindustan Times – Terror suspect Afzal Usmani escapes from court in Mumbai – 20 September 2013