Habib Ahmed Khan, Convicted in 1993 Train Blasts, to be Released After Serving Life Sentence

Habib Ahmed Khan has filed a petition in the top court seeking permanent parole due to his declining health and advanced age. He has been in jail for over 27 years and was granted parole on three occasions. The bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan asked the Rajasthan government to consider his case from a human rights perspective. The bench expressed concern about Mr Khan’s deteriorating health and raised doubts about the purpose of his continued incarceration.

Mr Khan’s counsel emphasized his medical reports, highlighting his inability to walk and see properly. The bench pointed out that at the age of 96, Mr Khan is simply counting his days and urged the state to consider the possibility of remission or permanent parole from a humanitarian standpoint. However, the Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee, appearing for the Rajasthan government, raised concerns about Mr Khan’s conviction for a terror offense hindering the process of remission. Despite the limitations, the bench emphasized the importance of upholding Article 21 of the Constitution and requested Mr Banerjee to seek further instruction on the possibility of granting remission or permanent parole for Mr Khan.

The matter was adjourned for hearing after two weeks. Habib Ahmed Khan was arrested in connection with a series of train blasts in 1993 and was convicted in 2004 under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. His conviction and life sentence were upheld by the Supreme Court in 2016. Despite being granted parole on three occasions, his deteriorating health condition has raised concerns about the necessity of his continued incarceration.

The Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court have granted Mr Khan parole on different occasions, taking into consideration his age and health issues. The legal proceedings regarding his plea for permanent parole or remission are ongoing.