Delhi HC Denies Bail To Indian Mujahideen Members Linked To 2008 Bomb Blasts, Orders Expedited Trial
The Delhi High Court refused bail to three individuals linked to the terror group Indian Mujahideen, allegedly involved in the 2008 serial bomb blasts across India.
A Division Bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Shalinder Kaur dismissed the bail pleas of Mubeen Kadar Shaikh and Saquib Nisar.
In another case, a Bench consisting of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain also denied bail to Mansoor Ashgar Peerbhoy.
The Bench ordered, “This Court prior to dictating of the present appeal raised a query to learned Additional Public Prosecutor for State with regard to specific stage of the trial. We are informed that total 497 witnesses were cited, out of which 198 witnesses were dropped and so far 282 witnesses have already been examined and only 17 witnesses are left to be examined. We are informed that the learned Special Court is conducting proceedings on every Saturday so as to expedite conclusion of trial, which is already at its fag end. However, in the peculiar facts of the present case and keeping in view that the appellant is behind bars since the 2008, we direct the concerned Special Court to conclude the trial in the present matter by taking it up at least twice a week.”
Shaikh and Peerbhoy were arrested in 2008 and were alleged to be part of Indian Mujahideen's media cell. They were accused of sending messages to various media outlets in India and Pakistan, claiming responsibility for the bombings within five minutes of the attacks.
Nisar was accused of conspiring with others to carry out the Delhi bombings, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan appeared for Mubeen Kadar Shaikh and Additional Public Prosecutor Tarang Srivastava appeared for the Respondents.
The Court examined the charges against the accused and determined that bail was not appropriate in their cases.
However, it directed the trial court, which has been hearing the case against them every Saturday, to expedite the trial by conducting hearings at least twice a week.
The Court emphasized the importance of a speedy trial, recognizing that the accused have been in custody since 2008.
Cause Title: Mansoor Asghar Peerbhoy v. State [2024:DHC:3359-DB], Saquib Nisab v. State [2024:DHC:3358-DB] and Mubeen Kadar Shaikh v. State of NCT Of Delhi [2024:DHC:3357-DB]
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