In a significant judgment, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday upheld the death penalty awarded to five top operatives of the banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, who were convicted in connection with the 2013 twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad’s Dilsukhnagar that left 18 people dead and 131 injured. The blasts were among the deadliest terror attacks in the city’s recent history. A division bench of the High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts, thereby affirming the verdict of the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, which had sentenced all five to death in December 2016. The trial court had found the men guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The convicts—Yasin Bhatkal, Zia-ur-Rehman alias Waqas, Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, Tehseen Akhtar, and Aizaz Shaikh—were charged with plotting and executing the coordinated bomb explosions on February 21, 2013, in the highly congested Dilsukhnagar area. The blasts occurred within seconds of each other, near a busy bus stop and a popular snack outlet, during evening rush hour. In its ruling, the High Court bench observed that the case fell under the “rarest of the rare” category and warranted the maximum punishment available under the law. The judges maintained that the trial court’s decision was based on strong and conclusive evidence, including forensic analysis, surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and confessional statements.

The NIA court, which handled the case under special jurisdiction for terror-related offences, had earlier convicted the five based on meticulous investigations that revealed the planning, logistics, and execution of the attack were orchestrated by the Indian Mujahideen with the aim of causing maximum civilian casualties and inciting fear. The High Court's decision is being viewed as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s stance on terrorism and public safety, especially in cases where the attacks are premeditated and indiscriminately target innocent civilians. Security across key locations in Hyderabad was beefed up following the verdict to avoid any untoward incident. Meanwhile, legal experts note that the convicts still have the option to appeal before the Supreme Court, which could further extend the legal proceedings. However, with both the trial court and the High Court now backing the death sentence, the road ahead for the convicts appears narrow.

The Dilsukhnagar blasts had sent shockwaves across the country at the time, with CCTV footage capturing the moments before and after the explosions playing a critical role in tracking down the culprits. Investigations revealed that the group used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) placed in tiffin boxes, triggered remotely to maximize casualties. The National Investigation Agency’s swift action and coordination with multiple intelligence and enforcement agencies led to the arrest of the accused, some of whom were nabbed across state lines and international borders. Public reaction to the High Court verdict has been largely supportive, with many families of the victims expressing relief that justice has prevailed. Social media was abuzz with responses praising the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies for their role in delivering justice in a case that has remained etched in public memory. As the case moves to its next legal stage, if pursued, the ruling stands as a strong statement against terrorism and is likely to serve as a precedent in other similar cases across the country.