New Delhi, March 29: The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) welcomed the Rajasthan High Court’s verdict to acquit four Muslim men, alleged accused of 2008 Jaipur serial blasts.
It may mentioned here that Sarvar Aazmi, Mohammad Saif, Saifur Rahman, and Salman, who were previously sentenced to death in connection with the 2008 Jaipur bomb blast case.
The High Court has also ordered a probe against the police and questioned the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for failing to provide credible evidence, holding them responsible for their negligent,cursory, and inefficient actions.
The Director General of Rajasthan Police has been directed to initiate appropriate Enquiry,Disciplinary Proceedings against the erring officers of the Investigating Team.
“APCR has been at the forefront of fighting for justice for the accused, and our legal team represented the exonerees in court. The recent acquittal has come as a relief to them and their families who have been claiming that the Muslim men were framed in the case,”Farooq Paker, the former President of APCR Rajasthan Chapter and amicus curiae for all four Muslim men, said, adding that, “This is the first case where the death penalty has been awarded on circumstantial evidence. There was no direct evidence, and all four were falsely implicated. Not a single witness could identify any of these four men planting a bomb on the bicycle. Also, the bicycle purchase bill produced in court is different from the frame number of the bicycle used in the bomb blast.” Advocate Syed Sadat Ali, President of APCR Rajasthan and part of the legal team representing the exonerees, clarified.
“The case pertains to the Jaipur Bomb Blast of 2008, and the ATS theory had plenty of loopholes with glaring lapses in investigation, and the earlier judgment of the lower court
was a perfect example of institutional failure of administering justice.” He further added.
“We are thankful to the High Court of Rajasthan for breathing new hopes in the judicial system through this acquittal order.”
APCR remains committed to fighting for justice and ensuring that the judicial system is fair and unbiased. We hope that this verdict will serve as a reminder to law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough and impartial investigations, and that justice prevails in all cases.
Case Details: The Sessions Case No.6/2010 – State Versus Shahbaz Hussain @ Shahbaz Ahmed @ Shanu & Ors., FIR No.131/2008, Police Station, Manak Chowk, Jaipur City (North), and D.B.Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 211/2022, Rajasthan High Court.