Updated on Monday, January 05, 2009, 00:00 IST

Mumbai, Jan 05: The prosecution in the Thane theatre blast case on Monday submitted, before the sessions court, draft charges against six accused.

All the six have been booked for criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder and under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act.

The sessions court on January 7 will hear the defence advocate's arguments on the draft charges and will then modify the charges if required.

The six accused, who are allegedly members of Hindu Janjagruti Sanstha, have been arrested for their involvement in the blast that occurred at the Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane on June 4, 2008, when a Marathi play 'Aamhi Pachpute' was being staged.

The six have also been accused of conducting blasts at Cine Raj Cinema in Panvel on February 2, 2008 and at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium in Vashi on May 31, 2008.

According to the draft charges submitted by the Anti- Terrorism Squad (ATS), the six accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy between January to June 2008 to strike terror and aided and abetted each other and committed terrorist acts.

The accused are Ramesh Gadkari, Mangesh Nikam, Vikram Bhave, Santosh Angre, Haribhau Divekar and Hemant Chalke.

Bureau Report