Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has reaffirmed the death penalty for five individuals convicted in the 2013 case of twin bomb blasts near busy Dilshuknagar bus stantion in Hyderabad.The court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts, confirming the verdict delivered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in December 2016. The blasts, which occurred on February 21, 2013, at a popular eatery, claimed 18 lives and injured 131 others.
The division bench, comprising Justice K. Lakshman and Justice P. Sree Sudha, described the acts as “heinous and inhuman,” emphasizing the gravity of the crime. The five convicts- Asadullah Akhtar, Zia-ur-Rahman, Tahseen Akhtar, Yasin Bhatkal, and Ajaz Shaikh- were found guilty of planning and executing the attack as operatives of the banned terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen. The prime accused, Riyaz Bhatkal, remains absconding.
The High Court’s decision has been hailed as a significant step in delivering justice to the victims and their families, who have endured years of trauma following the devastating incident. The judgment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining national security. Families of the victims expressed relief, calling the verdict a long-awaited closure to their ordeal.
