In a significant turn of events that has come as a relief to many, the Telangana High Court has reaffirmed the death sentence for five Indian Mujahideen operatives in relation to the horrific Dilsukhnagar twin bomb blasts that terrorized Hyderabad on February 21, 2013.
The gruesome blasts killed 18 innocent people and injured over 130 others grievously, registering one of the worst acts of terror in the history of Hyderabad.
The accused —
Asadullah Akhtar
Zia-ur-Rehman
Mohammad Tahseen Akhtar
Yasin Bhatkal a
Ajaz Sheikh alias
were found guilty of planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) concealed in tiffin boxes in a busy market area, aiming to cause maximum casualties.
Back in December 2016, the NIA Special Court had sentenced them to capital punishment for their involvement in the meticulously planned attack. The accused subsequently appealed this ruling in the High Court. After years of litigation, the Telangana High Court has now upheld the death sentence, asserting that the crime was heinous and intentional with no scope left for clemency.
The verdict is a reminiscence about the tragic incidence that still dwells in Hyderabadis’ hearts. The relatives of the deceased have welcomed the court’s judgement, calling it a long pending but eagerly sought step towards justice.
