- After spending over 12 years in custody, Munib Memon, one of the accused in the 2012 serial blasts on Pune’s Jangli Maharaj Road, was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on Friday. The court set the bail bond at Rs 1 lakh, requiring one or two sureties of the same value.
- Memon, represented by advocate Mubin Solkar, argued for bail citing the violation of his right to a speedy trial as protected by Article 21 of the Constitution. He emphasized that the trial had been progressing slowly and that his prolonged detention amounted to punishment without trial.
- The public prosecutor opposed the bail, highlighting the seriousness of the charges against Memon. In 2022, the high court had rejected his previous bail application, stating that there was no substantial reason to believe he was innocent.
- The 2012 blasts on Jangli Maharaj Road injured one person and also led to the discovery of an unexploded bomb. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Memon along with seven other individuals in connection with the attack.
- Under the legal principle that ‘bail is the rule and jail is the exception,’ Memon’s release was deemed necessary by his defense counsel despite the stringent laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) under which he was charged. The court’s decision to grant him bail reflects a balance between the need for justice and the rights of the accused.
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