1993 Mumbai Blasts: HC refuses emergency Parole to 4 Convicts

The Aurangabad bench of the High Court of Bombay has refused to grant emergency parole to four convicts in the March 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai.

The 4 convicts, Sardar Shahwali Khan, Mohammed Moin Faridulla Qureshi, Niyaz Ahmed & Shaikh Ali Shaikh Umer, are serving life term at Harsool central prison at Aurangabad. They had moved the court after their applications for emergency parole, following a May 8 notification by the state for decongesting prisons in view of Coronavirus pandemic, were rejected by jail authorities on July 7 on the ground that they were convicted under provisions of a special statute -- the Terrorist & Disruptive Activities (Prevention) (TADA) Act -- & therefore, were not entitled to the benefit.

The bench of Justices TV Nalawade & Justice MG Sewlikar upheld the decision & held that the TADA convicts were not entitled to emergency parole. The bench said the notification states that those convicted for serious economic offences or bank scams or for offences under special Acts etc. were not entitled to emergency parole, & that these categories also included convicts under the TADA Act.

257 died & about 1,400 others were injured when a series of 13 high-intensity bombs exploded in Mumbai on March 12, 1993. Sardar Shahwali Khan, a civil contractor & aide of prime accused Tiger Memon, was convicted for conspiracy. 

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