Telangana High Court Upholds Death Penalty Of Five Indian Mujahideen Operatives In 2013 Dilsukhnagar Twin Bomb Blast Case
The Telangana High Court on Tuesday (April 8) has upheld a 2016 death penalty imposed by an NIA Court upon five Indian Mujahideen operatives, who were found guilty of orchestrating the 2013 Dilsukhnagar twin bomb blasts which killed 18 and injured 121 persons. A division bench of Justice K. Lakshman and Justice P Sree Sudha passed the order in a reference made by the Sessions Judge...
The Telangana High Court on Tuesday (April 8) has upheld a 2016 death penalty imposed by an NIA Court upon five Indian Mujahideen operatives, who were found guilty of orchestrating the 2013 Dilsukhnagar twin bomb blasts which killed 18 and injured 121 persons.
A division bench of Justice K. Lakshman and Justice P Sree Sudha passed the order in a reference made by the Sessions Judge to confirm the death penalty as well as on an appeal appeal filed by the accused– Asadullah Akhter Haddi Tabrez Danial Asad, Zia Ur Rehman, Mohd Tahseen Akhtar Hassan, Mohd Ahmed Siddibapa and Ajaz Shaikh Samar Armaan, operatives of the Indian Mujahideen.
Although, as per the chargesheet, 6 men were held responsible, Riyaz Bhatkal, who is stated to be the mastermind behind the operation, is suspected to have absconded to Pakistan. Thus, the trial was conducted only against the 5 accused in custody.
As per the NIA press note, the bomb blasts were planned by the Indian Mujahideen and “a high level conspiracy to wage war against India and as per that conspiracy, they decided to conduct bomb blasts in Hyderabad to create terror in the minds of the people.”
A detailed copy of the judgment is awaited.
Background
On February 21, 2013 at around 7pm, two consecutive bomb explosions took place at Dilsukhnagar market in Hyderabad, resulting in the death of 18 persons, including one unborn child in the mothers womb, and also caused injuries to 131 persons. The first blast took place at around 7pm near the 107 Bus Stop at Dilsukhnagar. The second blast took place after a few seconds, near the A-1 Mirchi Centre shop at Dilsukhnagar.
Upon investigation, links were established between the bomb blasts and the accused. Additionally, the investigating officers confiscated Ammonium nitrate, Diodes, connected wires, timers, batteries etc, which they suspected were going to be used to attempt more attacks.
V Additional District AND Sessions Judge vs. Asadullah Akhtar , haddi , Tabrez
Counsel for petitioner: P Vishnuvardhana Reddy Special Counsel for NIA, R. Mahadevan, G Siddi Ramulu (PP for NIA)
Counsel for respondents: Mohammed Shujaullah Khan, Appam Chandra Sekhar