2008 Serial Blasts: Delhi High Court Denies Bail To Three Accused, Orders Expeditious Conclusion Of Trial

The Delhi High Court on Monday denied bail to three accused persons in the UAPA case concerning the 2008 serial blasts in the national capital that claimed 26 lives.

A division bench comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Shalinder Kaur dismissed the appeals moved by Mubeen Kadar Shaikh and Saquib Nisar.

Accused Mansoor Asghar Peerbhoy was denied bail by the division bench comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain.

The bench upheld the trial court orders denying bail to the three accused persons.

However, noting that they have been behind bars since 2008, the court directed the trial court to conclude the trial in the case by taking it up at least twice a week.

The court was informed that a total of 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.

It was further informed that the trial court is conducting proceedings every Saturday so as to expedite the conclusion of the trial, which is already at its fag end.

“However, in the peculiar facts of the present case and keeping in view that the appellant(s) 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,” the court said.

On September 13, 2008, serial bomb blasts occurred at different places in Delhi- Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and Greater Kailash. The serial blasts resulted in the deaths of 26 people and caused injuries to 135 individuals, besides destruction of property, according to the prosecution.

The Indian Mujahideen took responsibility for the blasts by sending emails to various electronic and print media.

While denying bail to Shaikh, the court noted that he was a qualified Computer Engineer who was an alleged active member of the Media Cell of Indian Mujahideen. The court said that as a part of a large conspiracy, Shaikh prepared the text and content of terror mail sent in the name of Indian Mujahideen.

Denying bail to Nisar, the bench said that the allegations against him and the role attributed to him did not persuade the court to release him on bail.

The court denied bail to Peerbhoy, the court said that it was unable to hold that the bar of Section 45 D(5) of UAPA did not stand attracted.

Title: MUBEEN KADAR SHAIKH v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI and other connected matters

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 517

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