Telangana High Court has upheld the death penalty for five operatives of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) in the 2013 Dilsukhnagar twin blasts case on April 8. The court ruled the case as “rarest of rare,” upholding the NIA Special Court’s 2016 verdict sentencing the accused to capital punishment.
Case Background and Investigation Details
Following twin explosions on February 21, 2013, at 6 PM, in the crowded Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad, the attack claimed 18 lives and injured 131 others. The first IED exploded at a bus stop, while the second went off near the A1 Mirchi Centre, shaking the city and the nation.
On March 14, 2013, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officially took over the investigation from Malakpet and Saroornagar police stations
Timeline of Charge sheets
• March 14, 2014: NIA Hyderabad filed the primary chargesheet against A-2 Asadullah Akhtar and A-5 Yasin Bhatkal.
• September 16, 2014: The first supplementary chargesheet was filed against A-1 Riyaz Bhatkal, A-3 Waqas, and A-4 Mohammed Tahseen Akhtar.
• June 6, 2015: The second supplementary chargesheet was filed against A-6 Aizaz Saeed Shaikh.
• Final Judgment: Pronounced on December 13, 2016, sentencing the accused to death.
High Court Verdict (April 2025): Capital Punishment Upheld
The High Court on appeal reaffirmed the earlier judgment of the NIA Special Court. It found all five accused guilty under charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, terrorist acts, and waging war against the country, under the IPC, Arms Act, and UAPA. The court emphasized the premeditated nature of the attacks, their brutal execution, and the intent to incite mass casualties.
NIA Court awards capital punishment to 5 IM operatives for bomb attacks in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad on 21/02/2013. https://t.co/h6wxy90V04
— NIA India (@NIA_India) December 19, 2016
Convicted Individuals
1. Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal – Co-founder of Indian Mujahideen
2. Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi / Zia-ur-Rehman – Pakistani national
3. Tahaseen Akhtar alias Monu
4. Aijaz Shaikh – Logistics handler for SIM cards and resources
5. Zia Ur Rehman – Another alias of Asadullah Akhtar
ATF Reaction and Appeal to Government
Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, Chairman of the Anti-Terrorism Forum (ATF), welcomed the court’s decision, stating: “The death penalty is the rightful punishment for terrorists who declared war on India and killed innocent civilians. These terrorists have no right to live on earth.”
Death penalty is right punishment for Indian Mujahideen terrorists.#dilsukhnagarbombblasts @ANI @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/fbTyuyVC92
— Dr.Ravinuthala Shashidhar (@shashidhar147) April 8, 2025
The ATF further demanded that Pakistan-based Riyaz Bhatkal, believed to be the mastermind behind the blasts and multiple terror attacks across India, be extradited and brought to justice.
The forum criticized organizations such as Jamaat-e-Ulema Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind for allegedly providing legal aid to IM operatives and called for a full investigation into their activities. It also raised concerns over several towns in Telangana, including Hyderabad, allegedly becoming safe havens for extremist elements.
The ATF expressed regret that families of victims from Dilsukhnagar, Gokul Chat, and Lumbini Park bombings have yet to receive compensation from the state government. It called for immediate relief to be extended to the victims’ families and the injured survivors.
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