Patna HC Commutes Death Sentences of 4 Accused to Life Term in 2013 Serial Blasts

Patna: The Patna High Court on Wednesday commuted the death sentences of four convicts in the 2013 Patna serial blasts case to life imprisonment.

The blasts occurred at Gandhi Maidan during an election rally addressed by Narendra Modi, who was the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The ruling was issued by Justice Ashutosh Kumar, who reviewed the Special NIA Court’s earlier verdict. Imran Ghani, the defence lawyer for the accused, confirmed that the High Court revised the death sentences to life imprisonment for a term of 30 years for four of the convicts while upholding the life terms for two others.

The serial blasts, which targeted Gandhi Maidan and Patna railway station on October 27, 2013, led to six deaths and injured more than 80 people. Initially investigated by the Patna Police, the case was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA identified 10 individuals involved, with nine being convicted.

The convicts include Imtiaz Ansari, Haider Ali, Nawaj Ansari, Muzmullah, Umer Siddiqi, Azher Kuresi, Ahmad Hussain, Feroz Aslam and Iftikhar Alam. A tenth accused, Faqeuddin, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. All convicts are currently lodged in Patna’s Beur Jail.