Delhi Court Grants Bail to 1996 Lajpat Nagar Blast Accused

A Delhi court has granted bail to Mehrajuddin Bhat, an accused in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar market bomb explosion case. Bhat was arrested earlier this month and has been released on a personal bond. The court noted insufficient incriminating evidence against him, leading to his bail approval.

A Delhi court has granted bail to Mehrajuddin Bhat, who was arrested earlier this month in connection with the 1996 Lajpat Nagar market bomb explosion case, which left 13 people dead and 38 injured.

The court declared Bhat, a J-K resident, a proclaimed offender on February 19, 1997. He was apprehended on July 9, 2024, and Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur approved his bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount from family members.

The judge noted that Bhat’s name came up during the investigation through the disclosure statements of co-accused Farida Dar and Latif Ahmad Waza. However, there was no incriminating evidence found against him through their examination. Subsequently, Dar was acquitted of conspiracy charges, and Waza of all charges.

Bhat has been employed as a plumber at the Institute of Management and Public Administration, Natipora, since 1989. Judge Kaur stated that Bhat should be released on regular bail, directing him to provide his cellphone number to the investigating officer and ensure its constant activity. Bhat is barred from international travel without court permission and from contacting prosecution witnesses.

Bhat's counsel argued his innocence and stated he posed no flight risk. Of the 17 accused in the 1996 blast case, four have been convicted, six acquitted, six declared POs, and one has passed away. The Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in 13 deaths and numerous injuries.