New Delhi, June 23: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Rashid Khan and the central government, responding to a petition filed by the West Bengal government against his release. Khan, who is serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1993 Kolkata bomb blast case, was previously granted release by the Delhi High Court on June 5.
The Supreme Court has put a stay on the Delhi High Court’s decision regarding Khan’s release. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 28. Khan’s attorney argued that he has been in prison for over 30 years and suffers from multiple health issues. His behavior in prison has been commendable, warranting respect for the High Court’s order. However, the Supreme Court remarked that he was a mastermind behind the attack, stating that there cannot be multiple masterminds in a single case.
On June 5, the Delhi High Court ordered Khan’s release, considering his long incarceration and good conduct. The West Bengal government contends that the state’s parole review board opposed Khan’s release.
The state government has approached the Supreme Court, asserting that releasing a convict of such heinous crimes as terrorism would be unjust to the victims and their families. In his petition, Khan noted that another convict in the same case, Pannalal Jaisura, was granted early release in 2014.
The devastating blast occurred on the night of March 16, 1993, in the Bhawanipur area of Kolkata, resulting in the deaths of 69 individuals and the destruction of numerous buildings.
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