In the city of Jaipur, the Supreme Court, on Friday, dismissed the bail plea of Salman, an individual implicated in the series of bomb explosions that shook Jaipur in May 2008. Salman stands accused of orchestrating an explosive incident outside the Chandpol Hanuman Temple at Sanganeri Gate.

Tasking the special court handling the Jaipur bomb blast cases, the apex court mandated the completion of the trial by May 15. Emphasizing that any delay in concluding the proceedings would prompt a reconsideration of the accused’s bail application, this directive was issued by a bench comprising Justices MM Sundaresh and SVN Bhatti.

Salman had previously been sentenced to death by the special court, but the Rajasthan High Court later acquitted him. Challenging this decision, the state government and the victims of the bomb blast approached the Supreme Court via a Special Leave Petition (SLP).

Arguing on behalf of the accused, it was contended that the Rajasthan High Court had acquitted Salman in the Jaipur serial bomb blast case. Given the anticipated duration of the ongoing trial, the plea sought bail for the accused during this period.

However, responding to this, Attorney General of India R Venkataramani and Special Advocate Shivmangal Sharma asserted that Salman was a member of the proscribed terrorist organization, Indian Mujahideen. They implicated him in the series of bomb explosions in Jaipur, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

The legal representatives further argued that granting bail to the accused would convey an incorrect message to society. They expressed concerns about the potential resurgence of the accused in terrorist activities. Consequently, the plea for bail was vehemently opposed.

Following a thorough consideration of arguments from both sides, the court denied relief to the accused and urged him to revisit his bail application should the trial extend beyond the stipulated time. On May 13, 2008, the city witnessed eight sequential bomb explosions, claiming the lives of seventy-one individuals. While the high court acquitted all the accused in the bomb blast case, the proceedings related to the recovery of a live explosive device are still pending in the special court.