Kathmandu, February 26:

The Supreme Court today issued show cause notices to the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range and the Ministry of Home Affairs to explain why two Pakistani nationals, held in 2006 here, were handed over to Indian authorities.

Police had arrested Wallid Sajjad and Asif Ali from Jagat Hotel at Jyatha on July 12 for their alleged involvement in serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in 2004. The court notices came in response to a habeas corpus petition filed in the apex court by the Voice for the Human and Prisoners’ Rights on Sunday.

CM Farooq, advocate and chairman of VHPR, claimed the duo were not involved in any criminal activities either in Nepal or outside Nepal. Farooq said their attempt to contact Nepali officials to learn about the arrest went in vain.