Bombay High Court Rules Out Solitary Confinement for Pune Blast Convict

The Bombay High Court ruled that Himayat Baig, convicted in the 2010 Pune German bakery blast, is not in solitary confinement. Baig's claim of confinement affecting his mental health was dismissed as the court found sufficient interaction in the barrack where he is housed.

The Bombay High Court has determined that Himayat Baig, convicted in the 2010 Pune German bakery blast, is not subjected to solitary confinement in prison. This comes after Baig alleged that his mental health was deteriorating due to extended isolation in the Nashik Central Prison's 'Anda cell.'

A division bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale, stated there was no cause for psychological trauma concerns. The court referenced a 2012 state prison circular ensuring security-risk prisoners are placed in high-security barracks, not solitary confinement.

Additionally, the court directed jail authorities to assign prison work to Baig as per regulations. Previously, Baig's death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment by the High Court. The Maharashtra government maintains the state's prisons do not practice solitary confinement.