High Court Decision on the Duration of Solitary Confinement for Blast Convict

The blast at the German Bakery in February 2010 resulted in the death of 17 people and left 60 others injured. Baig, the sole person convicted in the case, has been held in solitary confinement at Nashik Central Prison for 12 years.

Seeking a transfer from the ‘anda cell’ to a high-security cell, Baig’s petition was heard by a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Shyam Chandak. In response, additional public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde was directed to seek instructions from the Inspector General of the Prison department on Baig’s potential relocation.

During the hearing, Mr. Shinde informed the court about Baig’s conviction and life imprisonment sentence for his involvement in the blast. The bench expressed understanding of security concerns but questioned the duration a prisoner can be kept in solitary confinement, emphasizing the lack of light and fresh air in the anda cell.

The court noted that while the security of the inmate is important, keeping someone in such conditions indefinitely is not permissible. The bench scheduled further hearings on the plea for June 20.

Following the blast, six others, including Yasin Bhatkal, charged in connection to the case, are still at large. (This text has been minimally altered for clarity and coherence)