2008 Jaipur bomb attack:
Recalling the terrorist attack for which four men who had previously been given the death penalty were found not guilty
The Indian Mujahideen, a group that was then relatively unknown, emailed a media outlet the day after the explosion and claimed responsibility for the attack.
On March 29, the Rajasthan High Court released four men who had been given the death penalty in 2019 for their roles in the 2008 Jaipur bombings, which left 71 people dead and 185 injured.
Advocate Syed Saadat Ali, who represented the four acquitted individuals, told the media that the court had directed state authorities to take action against “incompetent” investigating officers.
A special court in Jaipur found four of the suspects guilty of the explosions in 2019 while clearing Shahbaz Hussain, the fifth suspect. The acquittal of Shahbaz has been upheld by the High Court. A series of blasts rocked the old walled city of Jaipur on May 13, 15 years ago.
The 2008 Jaipur blasts
Between 7.15 and 7.45 p.m., nine RDX bombs exploded at eight different locations in Jaipur’s crowded old city. The series of bombings was so precise that people escaping one blast site were met with more blasts at the others. Explosives were attached to bicycles.
Around 7.15 p.m., the first bomb exploded in the busy Johari Bazaar. More bombs exploded at the Hanuman Mandir, Hawa Mahal, Badi Chaupad, Tripolia Bazar, and Chandpole as panic spread. The Hanuman Mandir was bustling with devotees on Tuesday.
More bombs were also discovered and defused by police. This was the first time a terror attack took place on the streets of Jaipur, a popular tourist destination.
The Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility
The Indian Mujahideen, a then-unknown group, emailed a media outlet a day after the explosions and claimed responsibility. They included a video of an explosive-laden bicycle in the email. The serial number of the bicycle paired with the one that was used in the blast, according to police.
Although security agencies stated that the email was genuine, there were worries that it was an attempt to deceive the inquiry.
The email claimed that Jaipur was chosen as a target to derail the country’s tourism industry and warned India not to support the US on international issues. Tourism in Jaipur was temporarily impacted by the explosions, and there was uncertainty regarding foreign players competing in the Indian Premier League, which had just been established.
Convictions and arrests
Shahbaz Hussain was the first person arrested in August 2008. He was suspected of sending an email claiming responsibility for the attack. In 2019, he was found guilty due to a lack of evidence.
Mohammad Saif, Mohammad Sarwar Azmi, Mohammad Salman, and Saifurrehman were arrested between December 2008 and December 2010. All four were found guilty in 2019 and given death sentences for their involvement in the bombings. All four are from the Uttar Pradesh town of Azamgarh.
Three more defendants, Yasin Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar, and Aariz, are being held in Tihar Jail awaiting trial in other blast cases. In a Batla House encounter in Delhi in 2008, two other accused were killed.
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