1998 Coimbatore Blasts Convicts Get Parole, BJP Jabs With "Betrayal" Remark

The state cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Vijay, approved a temporary release of Mohammed Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Monappa alias Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Ajam and Nawab Khan for a period of sixty days. All five men were sentenced for planning and executing the series of explosions that struck Coimbatore in February 1998, an attack that killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds. The parole order was issued under provisions that allow short‑term leave for convicts who have shown good conduct, and the government said it was a humanitarian gesture aimed at facilitating family reunions.

The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted sharply, describing the move as a betrayal of the memory of those who perished in the blasts. Party leaders argued that granting parole to individuals linked to a terror incident undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system and sends a dangerous signal to extremist groups. They demanded that the parole be revoked and called for a review of the criteria used to grant such relief, emphasizing that the victims' families should be consulted before any decision is taken.

Legal experts note that parole for serious offences is not unprecedented, but they caution that each case must be examined on its own merits to avoid setting a precedent that could be misused. Human rights groups have urged the authorities to balance compassion for prisoners with the need for public safety. Observers will watch how the parole period unfolds, whether the convicts comply with conditions, and if any political pressure leads to a reversal of the decision.