Madras HC Grants Three-Month Interim Bail To Al-Umma Founder & Convict In 1998 Coimbatore Serial Blasts Case

In what comes as a shock to many in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court has granted three months of interim bail to S A Basha, the founder of Al-Umma, a banned terrorist organisation, and a life convict in the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts case. The decision was made in response to a petition filed on behalf of Basha by his daughter, citing his age of 85 years and deteriorating health.

The Coimbatore serial bomb blasts of 1998 were a grievous incident in which 58 people were killed and over 200 individuals sustained serious injuries. Many of the survivors continue to grapple with the long-lasting effects of the shrapnel and other injuries caused by the devastating explosions.

Basha, who has been incarcerated for the past 29 years, was convicted in connection with these heinous acts. His daughter, B Mubeena, filed the petition for his early release, highlighting his ailing health. She specifically mentioned that her father required cataract surgery for both of his eyes, in addition to suffering from hypertension and diabetes. Basha’s condition had deteriorated to the point where he was bedridden and needed assistance for his daily activities. He was recently admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital due to breathing difficulties.

The High Court’s decision to grant interim bail came after considering the health issues faced by Basha, who has already served sentences for lesser charges but is currently serving a life sentence. The petitioner sought not only bail on medical grounds but also for the court to review the home secretary’s order, which had rejected a plea for premature release. During the hearing, additional public prosecutor Raj Tilak informed the court that the government had no objections to granting interim bail to Basha. The bench, comprising Justices S S Sundar and Sunder Mohan, concurred with the prosecutor’s submission and granted Basha three months of interim bail. The court has also requested a response from the state government regarding this matter. This decision has generated significant discussion and debate, given the history and consequences of the Coimbatore serial bomb blasts.

This comes just a couple of weeks after the Supreme Court denied bail to the life convicts in the same case. Senior advocates such as Salman Khurshid argued for bail, but the bench, led by Justice Kaul, firmly rejected the plea, emphasising the gravity of the crime. The three-judge bench pronounced an order that the matter would be reconsidered in February 2024.

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