Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) [India], Apr. 19 (NT): Criticizing Mecca blast case verdict All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi took on  the National Investigative Agency (NIA) over the release of five accused.

Addressing a gathering here, Owaisi asserted that the probe agency has turned deaf and blind and assured to afford lend a hand to the family of the victims against the judgment.

"If the family of any victim wants to appeal against the verdict, then I am ready to provide them legal help. People call NIA a caged parrot, but I will say that it is blind and deaf also," ANI quoted as Owaisi lauded.

On Monday, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court at Nampally found not guilty to five accused in the over a decade-long case, citing lack of evidence in opposition to them.

Only five faced trial out of a total of 10 prime accused named in the aforesaid case while one died and others are still in desertion.

The Mecca blast, which took place on May 18, 2007 at the Hyderabad mosque during Friday prayers, had claimed lives of eight people and left 58 wounded. Worth mention here It was allegedly carried out by a group of right-wing terrorists.