MARGAO: The principal district and sessions judge, South Goa, Mr U V Bakre on Tuesday ordered that Prashant Ashtekar, one of the accused, in the bomb blast case be remanded to police custody.

Prashant Ashtekar had surrendered before sessions judge some days back and was later remanded to judicial custody.

The public prosecutor representing National Investigating Agency (NIA), Mr S B Faria made application before the principal district and sessions judge, South Goa praying that the accused be sent to police custody. Mr Faria argued that the accused, Prashant is required by the NIA to be taken to other state police for investigation of the case and he is also required for interrogation. He also pointed out that the accused is required to recover a hard disk.

After hearing the arguments Mr Justice Bakre ordered that Prashant be remanded to 10 days police custody till July 2. According to sources, the alleged accused is likely to be taken to Kolhapur and other places connected with investigation of the bomb blast case. Dhananjay Asteker, Vinayak Patil, Vinay Talekar, and Dilip Mangaonkar, who have been arrested in connection with the case, are in judicial custody. All the accused have been charge-sheeted under Sections 120B, 121 of the IPC and Sections 16, 18 and 23 of Unlawful Activity Prevention Act, 2008 and Sections 3,4, and 5 of Explosive Substance Act etc.

Vinayak Patil, Vinay Talekar, Dilip Mangaonkar and Prashant Ashtekar have moved bail application before the principal district and sessions judge, South Goa, Mr U V Bakre and arguments on the same were heard and the matter has been posted for orders on July 1.