15 years later justice still eludes Jaipur serial blast victims

Nine bombs at seven locations exploded within 15 minutes claiming lives of 71 people and leaving 185 others injured.

Newstrack
Updated on: 1 Jun 2023 5:27 PM GMT
15 years later justice still eludes Jaipur serial blast victims
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Jaipur serial blast

The Rajasthan government may have filed an appeal in the supreme court against the high court’s decision acquitting the four accused persons who were charged with triggering serial blasts in several localities across Jaipur city, justice still eludes the victims even 15 years after the incident.

The HC had acquitted the accused citing shoddy investigation and it remains to be seen if the apex court too takes the same view.

It was 13th May 2008, a usual day for every Jaipurites but no one knew that this day would change their lives. Five alleged terrorist identified as Mohammad Saif, Mohammad Salman, Saifur, Mohammad Sarvar Azmi and Shahbaz Hussain allegedly placed bombs at ManChawk Khanda, Chandpole Gate, Badi Chaupad, Choti Chaupad, Tripolia Gate, Johri bazar and Sanganeri Gate. Nine bombs at seven locations exploded within 15 minutes claiming lives of 71 people and leaving 185 others injured. The sound of the explosions still haunts the families of the victims.

This was the first time when the terrorists had targeted Jaipur. Islamic terrorist group ‘Indian Mujahideen’ had sent an email and took responsibility for this attack. However, Indian authorities stated that the email was real but it was also suspected that Bangladesh based organization, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh was behind this attack.

On December 4, 2019, the four accused were convicted and sentenced to the death by a special court but four years later on 29th March 2023, the High Court acquitted these accused in this case and rebuked the probe agencies for their shoddy investigation.

The HC decision caused a heart break among the victims’ families. Raja Kumawat from Jhotwada and Pawan Gupta from Tripolia Bazar who had suffered injuries in the blasts said that they were not certain if they would ever get justice. Raja who is still lodged with three shrapnel in his neck and waist and Pawan who had shrapnel in his stomach, shoulder and thighs were very upset with this decision and said “We can undergo with this pain but release of the terrorist’s pain is unbearable.

Now the Rajasthan government and victim's family has filed a SLP (Special Leave Petition) in Supreme Court to giving challenge the decision of High Court.

Serial blasts had also occurred in some other cities in the country in the past.

  • 25 July 2008 Serial Blast in Bangalore
  • 26 November 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks
  • 7 December 2010, Varanasi serial blasts
  • 14 February 2019 Pulwama Attack in Jammu & Kashmir
  • 20 April 2023 Poonch attack in Jammu & Kashmir etc.

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