Metropolitan Magistrate J K Pandya passed the remand order after police sought custody of the activists for interrogation to unravel the conspiracy behind the blasts which claimed 55 lives.

Those remanded in custody are Zahid Sheikh, Imran Sheikh, Sajid Mansuri, Iqbal Sheikh, Samsudin Sheikh, Yunus Mansuri, Gyasuddin Ansari, Arif Kadri and Usman Agarbattiwala, all in the age group of 20-25 years.

The police in their sumbmission had asked remand of the accused under various provisions of the IPC which include sections 120(1a) (Waging war against the state), 153(a) (creating rift between two communities), 302 (murder) and 307(attempt to murder).

The accused were also booked under the Explosive Substance Act (sections 3 & 7), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (sections 16, 18, 20) and Damage to Public Property Act (sections 3 & 4).

Seeking remand of the militants in the court today, police listed 14 reasons why the accused need to be in their custody for further interrogations. They said further questioning is needed to find out how, when, where and by whom the conspiracy of the blasts was hatched.

The mastermind of the blast Mufti Abu Bashir, who was arrested from Uttar Pradesh, was brought to the city last night on a three-day transit remand.