HC rejects bail plea of 2021 blast accused

Kolkata: Observing there was no delay in trial and the petitioner is prima facie involved in an act of terrorism, Calcutta High Court refused to grant bail to Abu Samad who was allegedly involved in the 2021 blast at Nimtita Railway Station which injured a Bengal minister and 22 others.

The bench of Justice Arijit Banerjee and Justice Apurba Sinha Ray was moved by Samad for bail on grounds of inordinate delay in trial. His counsel submitted he is in judicial custody for more than 3 years 9 months. Samad has been charged under Sections of IPC, Explosive Substances Act and UAPA.

The counsel for National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed his bail, submitting that Samad was involved in making the bomb and did the recce for planting it at the concerned station in Murshidabad. The claim of delay in trial progress is baseless as prosecution already examined 52 witnesses. It will examine five more, including one protected witness, three technical witnesses from CFSL and CERT and the investigating officer.

NIA counsel submitted that bail of the appellant at this juncture will delay and frustrate the trial.

Court observed prima facie there is sufficient evidence against Samad. There is no inordinate delay in the trial which is likely to conclude soon.

The charges under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, if proved may attract life imprisonment or even death penalty if any special category explosive substance is involved.

Rejecting his bail prayer, the court observed: “Terrorism is a crime against mankind. It compromises national security...”

On February 17, 2021, at about 9:55 pm, Jakir Hossain, Minister of State (MoS), Labour department of state government along with approximately 70 other Trinamool workers arrived at Nimtita Railway Station to board a train.

While the group was entering the platform, a bomb exploded causing serious injury to the minister and 22 other persons. Several people sustained serious injuries. Some of them lost their hands, their wrists. Some of them lost their feet and suffered grievous injury to their eyes resulting in loss of vision.