Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict today in the high-profile 2013 Dilsukhnagar bomb blast case, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people and left over 130 others injured. The ruling follows over a decade of investigation and legal proceedings, drawing nationwide attention.
The case was initially adjudicated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in 2016, which sentenced five accused — including Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal — to death. However, the main accused, Riyaz Bhatkal, remains absconding. The convicted individuals later filed an appeal challenging the verdict in the Telangana High Court, which has concluded hearings and is set to announce its final decision today.
The twin explosions occurred on February 21, 2013, in the bustling Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad. The NIA, which took over the investigation, recorded statements from 157 witnesses. Yasin Bhatkal was arrested in August 2013 near the Nepal border and is currently serving sentences in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in connection with multiple terror cases.
Other convicted individuals include Asadullah Akhtar, Waqas, Tehseen Akhtar, Ejaz Sheikh, and Syed Maqbool. After three years of trial, the NIA court handed down capital punishment to all five.
The High Court’s ruling is being closely watched as it could reaffirm or overturn the earlier death sentences. The verdict is expected to have significant legal and security implications.