Man accused over India bomb attacks returns to Bolton

Mohammed Hanif Umaraj Patel, aged 49, is wanted over the attacks in Surat, Gujarat, which also seriously wounded 12 others.

Indian-born Patel was finally traced to his home in Astley Street, Halliwell, and arrested in March.

He was being kept in police custody, pending the outcome of an extradition hearing.

However, a Judicial Review at London’s High Court on Friday ruled that Patel could be released on bail, defeating an appeal from the Crown Prosecution Service which argued that he should remain in custody until his hearing date on July 19.

He has now returned home to Bolton and continues to deny any connection with the bomb plot.

Aziz Patel, Mr Patel’s brother-inlaw and family spokesman, brought him back home from Wandsworth Prison on Monday.

He told The Bolton News: “We are very pleased to have him back home. We will all be very glad when this is over with. We would like to thank everybody who has supported us.”

An earlier hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Patel fears he will be tortured if returned home.

An extradition warrant issued by the Indian judicial authorities alleges conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions.

The charges refer to a railway station bombing and a second shop blast in 1993.

It is claimed Urdu-speaking Patel was involved in the “revenge attacks”, the court heard.

Interpol had circulated a photograph and description worldwide, of a man known as “Tiger Hanif”.

Prosecutor Julian Knowles told the court the attacks formed part of the ongoing violence between Muslims in India.

Mr Knowles added: “It is alleged the bomb blasts were revenge attacks for previous attacks, undertaken by Mr Patel and others.”

The extradition warrant also names Husein Ghadially, Yusuf Dadu, Iqbal Wadiwala, Mustak Patel and Faruk Surti in the conspiracy.

Ben Cooper, defending, said Patel faces torture if returned to India.