Date: April 08, 2025
Dilsukhnagar Blast Case: High Court Upholds Death Sentence
High Court Confirms Death Sentence in 2013 Twin Blasts Case in Dilsukhnagar
In a landmark decision, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentences handed down by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court to five individuals convicted in the 2013 Dilsukhnagar twin bomb blasts case. The verdict comes over a decade after the deadly explosions that shook Hyderabad and the nation.
The court stated that the death sentences were “justified,” citing the brutality and premeditated nature of the crime. The NIA court had sentenced the accused in 2016, but the convicts filed an appeal seeking relief from capital punishment. Following extensive legal proceedings, the High Court bench comprising Justices Lakshman and Sudhakar dismissed the appeal, endorsing the lower court’s verdict.
A Tragic Incident That Shook the Nation
The twin blasts occurred on February 21, 2013, in the busy Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad, killing 18 people and injuring 131 others. The coordinated explosions sent shockwaves across the country, and an intensive investigation was launched.
The case soon transferred to the NIA, which carried out a swift and thorough probe. In 2016, the NIA Special Court in Hyderabad convicted the five accused and sentenced them to death, setting a precedent for handling acts of terrorism with an iron hand.
Convicted Individuals Facing Death Penalty
The following individuals have sentenced to death and had their appeals dismissed:
- Asadulla Akhtar
- Tahseen Akhtar
- Zia Ur Rehman
- Bhaktal Ajaz
- Ijaz Sheikh
Meanwhile, Riyaz Bhatkal, one of the key accused and a suspected mastermind. Remains absconding, and authorities continue efforts to locate him.
Justice Delivered After a Decade in Dilsukhnagar
The High Court’s judgment reflects the seriousness with which acts of terrorism dealt with in India’s legal system. It brings a sense of closure to the families of the victims and sends a strong message of zero tolerance toward terrorism. The confirmation of the death penalty stands as a testament to the rule of law and justice for the lives lost in the Dilsukhnagar tragedy.