Telangana High Court confirms death sentence for 2013 Hyderabad bomb blast convicts

Nine years after a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) awarded death sentence to five members of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) in the 2013 Hyderabad bomb blasts case, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday dismissed appeals of the convicts, confirming their capital punishment. 

 

Those awarded death sentences are Asadullah Akhtar, Zia ur Rehman, Tehseen Akhtar, Yasin Bhatkal and Ajaz Shaikh. 

 

Eighteen people, including a pregnant woman, were killed and 131 others were injured in the twin blasts that shook Hyderabad in February 2013. The prime accused, Riyaz Bhatkal, is still absconding. 

 

In 2016, the NIA Special Court declared all five guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Foreigners Act. According to the 697-page order of the NIA court, around 6.58 pm on a Thursday, two pressure cooker bombs, fitted in bicycles, exploded in quick succession at the Dilsukhnagar area in Hyderabad. The first bomb went off near a bus stop and another one, close to an eatery. The bombs were timed to detonate at the exact same time. The powerful explosion left behind a trail of destruction with lifeless bodies and damaged properties strewn around. Seventeen civilians died on the spot and an 18th victim, a quick-born child, died as a result of grievous injuries.

 

According to the NIA’s investigation, the conspiracy was hatched by Accused No. 1, Riyaz Bhatkal, a founding member of the IM, who is believed to be hiding in Pakistan. An Interpol Red Corner notice has been issued against him. 

 

The five convicted men had defined roles and varied backgrounds. Asadullah Akhtar, a native of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested near India-Nepal border. He purchased the materials needed to prepare the bombs. Zia ur Rehman is a Pakistani national and placed the first bomb. Tehseen Akhtar helped in logistics and planting the second bomb. Yasin Bhatkal, one of the IM founders, was involved in planning and guiding the team. Ajaz Shaikh, a techie from Pune, played the role of a supplier of fake ID cards, SIM cards and hawala cash. He was also linked to the German Bakery blast in Pune.

 

The bombs were assembled in a rented house in Abdullapurmet on the city outskirts. A mock test was conducted at a nearby hillock. The IEDs were then planted at the chosen sites. In the run-up to D-day, the accused used coded chats to escape surveillance. For instance, in online chats, “Kalungii” stood for explosives, “NNN” for nitrate, “Elaichii” for detonator and “Waagu” referred to Al-Qaeda in Waziristan.

 

During the NIA court proceedings, 157 witnesses were examined and 486 exhibits and 173 material objects were presented. The court concluded that the five men executed a well-planned conspiracy to wage a war against the government of India. This is the first instance of an IM member being convicted and given a death sentence. 

 

The latest order from the High Court may bring in some sense of closure for dozens of families who have been awaiting justice for more than 12 years now. 

 

India