Bombay High Court Considers Charges for Mumbai Train Blast Convict Seeking Parole

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra prison authority to reconsider the escort charges imposed on Muzammil Shaikh, a convict of the Mumbai train blasts, who requested parole to attend his mother’s last rites. The bench, comprising Justices Bharti Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande, raised concerns over the substantial daily fee of Rs 81,384 for the escort service, comparing it to that of a luxury hotel.

Shaikh, who resides in Mira Road in Thane district, sought ‘death emergency parole’ following his mother’s demise on April 17. The Additional Public Prosecutor representing the prison authorities explained that the charges, justified under MCOCA and UAPA, include costs for escort officers and transportation.

Shaikh’s legal representatives, Aisha Ansari and Ibrahim Harbat, referred to a 2019 High Court ruling advocating for more than a day of death parole. They pointed to a regulation stating that the convict’s financial means should be considered when calculating police escort charges. They requested a three-day parole with the state covering escort expenses.

Justice Dangre suggested that offering seven days of parole is reasonable but noted the exorbitant daily charges could pose financial burden on the convict. The court questioned how Shaikh could afford such costs, considering the cumulative amount for the proposed parole duration.

In a separate incident, the Bombay High Court displayed reluctance to dismiss an FIR registered against NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, filed with the consent of the complainant, Mahesh Aher— an official at the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Encroachment and Eviction Department. The bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Neela Gokhale refused to permit the quashing of the FIR, emphasizing the challenge of a public servant consenting to such actions.

The FIR stemmed from an altercation on February 15, 2023, where Aher was allegedly threatened outside his office. Following the circulation of an audio clip purportedly featuring Aher threatening Awhad’s family, confrontations ensued, leading to charges against Awhad and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.