The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Kafeel Ahmed Mohammed Ayub, arrested in the 2011 Mumbai triple blasts that killed 27 people. Ayub, in custody since 2012, was released on a Rs 1 lakh surety after spending over a decade in jail.
Delhi’s Patiala House Court allowed banned terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen’s (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal to speak to his mother through video conferencing. In its order, the court also directed that Bhatkal would speak with his mother in Hindi only. The jail’s superintendent has also been allowed to get the communication recorded for security purposes.
Yasin Bhatkal, founder of the Indian Mujahideen, is facing multiple terrorism charges, including involvement in deadly attacks in Delhi and Hyderabad. Currently in Tihar Jail, he has requested custody parole to visit his ill mother. A Delhi court has sought a police response regarding his application for release.
The Indian government, led by PM Narendra Modi, has extended the ban on SIMI for five years under UAPA to counter terrorism and safeguard national security. SIMI’s involvement in terrorism, communal disruption, and collaboration with Pakistani-based leaders to execute attacks prompted the ban extension. The decision has garnered support from multiple state governments citing concerns of subversive activities and anti-national sentiments.