Telangana HC Upholds Death Sentence for Five in 2013 Hyderabad Blasts

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence awarded to five convicts, including Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yaseen Bhatkal and a Pakistani national, for their role in the 2013 twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad’s Dilsukhnagar area that claimed 18 lives and injured 131 people.

A division bench comprising Justice K. Lakshman and Justice P. Sree Sudhha dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts challenging the 2016 verdict of a special NIA court. The lower court had convicted them under several stringent provisions, including waging war against the nation, conspiracy, and murder.

Apart from Bhatkal (alias Ahmed Siddibappa Zaraar) and Pakistani national Zia ur Rehman (alias Waqas), the other convicts are Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, Tahseen Akhtar alias Monu, and Aizaz Saeed Shaik alias Aijaz Shaikh. All were found guilty under Sections 302 and 121 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 3B of the Explosive Substances Act, and Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The twin blasts occurred on February 21, 2013, at two crowded locations in Dilsukhnagar—one near the 107 bus stop and the second near A1 Mirchi Centre—within a span of six seconds and just 100 metres apart. Among the 18 deceased was an unborn child.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which handled the probe, contended in court that the convicts meticulously planned and executed the attack and were involved in further terrorist activities. The agency filed three charge sheets and produced 157 witnesses during the trial.

The defence counsel for Aijaz Shaikh indicated that they would move the Supreme Court after reviewing the High Court’s detailed order.

Two of the convicts are currently lodged at Cherlapally Jail in Hyderabad, while the others remain in different prisons across India as they are also facing trial in other terror-related cases.

Yaseen Bhatkal is the brother of Riyaz Bhatkal, the suspected mastermind of the attack, who remains absconding and is believed to be hiding in Pakistan. An Interpol Red Corner Notice has been issued against him.

The Bhatkal brothers hail from Bhatkal town in Karnataka, while Zia ur Rehman is from Mustafabad in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The other convicts are from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

The High Court’s decision has been seen as a stern message against terrorism and a reaffirmation of the 2016 verdict in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Hyderabad’s history.