Supreme Court stays Delhi HC order granting premature release to 1993 Bowbazar blast case convict
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Tuesday put a temporary hold on the release of Md Rashid Khan, who is serving a life sentence under the anti-terror law TADA for his role in the 1993 Bowbazar blast case in Kolkata. The blast killed around 70 people and destroyed several residential buildings.
Earlier, on June 5, the Delhi High Court had ordered Khan's premature release, noting that he had spent more than 33 years in prison, had maintained good conduct in jail, and had shown signs of reform.
The Bowbazar blast took place on March 16, 1993, just four days after the Mumbai serial blasts. The explosion was caused by a large stockpile of explosives allegedly kept by Khan. The blast killed 69 people, injured many others, and caused several buildings to collapse.
"Notice. In the meanwhile, the impugned order to be stayed," the Bench said, posting the matter for July 28.
The West Bengal government challenged the Delhi High Court's decision in the Supreme Court. Hearing the state's petition, a bench of Justice PK Mishra and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva stayed Khan's release and issued a notice to him seeking his response.
The state government argued that the Sentence Review Board had recommended against Khan's release because he was convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). Despite this recommendation, the Delhi High Court had allowed his early release.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the Supreme Court that the bombing had killed about 70 people and injured more than 100 others, with two buildings collapsing due to the powerful explosions.
As a result, Khan will remain in jail until the Supreme Court decides the matter.
- With inputs from agencies
