Mumbai court extends Bhatkal, Akhtar's police custody

To a plea by the defence lawyers, Pansare permitted the handcuffs of the accused to be removed while in court as also the veil on their faces.

Last time, they were brought to the court in chains and handcuffs as the prosecution was apprehensive that they could flee while being ferried to and for the special court in the Arthur Road Central Jail.

Both Bhatkal, 31, and Akhtar, 27, were arrested Aug 29 last year by Delhi Police. They were flown to Mumbai Feb 5 for the court hearing.

Bhatkal, who has no lawyer, has been extended state legal aid, while Akhtar is being represented by lawyers of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's Maharashtra unit.

The two are also accused of involvement in three other cases in Pune.

While Bhatkal is an accused in Feb 13, 2010 German Bakery blast and the unsuccessful Dagdusheth Halwai Temple attack conspiracy case, Akhtar is booked for the 2012 Jungli Maharaj Road low-intensity serial blasts.