CHENNAI: The Hindu Munnetra Kazhagam has moved the Madras High Court opposing a plea from a woman seeking the premature release of her father S A Basha known for his involvement in the ‘1998 serial bomb blast cases’.
Mubeena of Coimbatore had moved the High Court with a habeas corpus writ petition seeking her father’s premature release.
When it came up on April 24, Justices S Nagamuthu (since retired) and Anita Sumanth adjourned the matter till the first week of June.
When the matter came up again before another bench of Justices Nooty Ramamohana Rao and S M Subramaniam on June 15 last, the HMK filed a miscellaneous petition, vehemently opposing grant of any relief to Basha.
The bench ordered notice to Pugalenthi, counsel for Mubeena, returnable in a week.
Petitioner contended that Mubeena’s petition was not maintainable. A large number of innocent public were killed in the 1998 bomb blast. As many as 60 persons were killed and 300 sustained serious injuries in the 12 bomb blast attacks at 11 places, all within 12 kms radius of Coimbatore City on February 14, 1998.
A committee constituted under the head of Justice P R Gokulakrishnan (retired) to probe the occurrence had confirmed the participation of Basha in the heinous crime, it added and sought to dismiss Mubeena’s petition.
‘Plea not maintainable’
Petitioner contended that Mubeena’s petition was not maintainable. A large number of innocent public , as many as 60 people, were killed and 300 sustained serious injuries in the 1998 bomb blast