News Desk:The Tamil Nadu government has granted 60 days of parole to five men serving life sentences in connection with the 1998 Coimbatore serial bomb blasts, a decision that has triggered political criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to reports, the five convicts were granted parole on Monday, October 19, on personal grounds, including health-related reasons. The men—Mohammed Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Monappa alias Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Ajam and Nawab Khan—are lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison and have spent more than 20 years behind bars. One of them reportedly cited the nearly 30 years he had already spent in prison while seeking parole.
The decision has drawn criticism because of the scale of the 1998 attacks, which remain among the deadliest incidents in Tamil Nadu’s history. The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has faced questions over its decision to allow the five men temporary release.
BJP Tamil Nadu spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy criticised the move, arguing that granting extended parole to those convicted in the blasts was disrespectful to the victims and survivors. He also questioned whether personal considerations should outweigh the seriousness of the crimes. The state government had not issued an immediate response to the criticism at the time of the report.
What happened in the 1998 Coimbatore blasts?
On February 14, 1998, a series of bomb explosions struck Coimbatore as senior BJP leader L. K. Advani was scheduled to address an election rally in the city. The attacks were reportedly planned to target the rally, but a police security cordon prevented the attackers from reaching the meeting.
The first explosions occurred at around 4 pm, followed by further blasts at multiple locations across the city and its surrounding areas. Additional explosions were reported over the next three days, with explosive devices placed in vehicles, bags and other everyday objects.
In total, 19 explosions took place between February 14 and 17. The attacks killed 58 people, injured approximately 250 and caused property damage estimated at ₹4.37 crore.
Investigation and convictions
Investigators attributed the attacks to the now-banned organisation Al-Umma, which was headed by S. A. Basha. The blasts were reportedly planned as retaliation for earlier communal violence in Coimbatore, during which 18 Muslims were killed in riots and police firing following the murder of a traffic police constable.
A total of 168 people were arrested in connection with the case. Of these, 166 faced trial and 158 were convicted. Around 40 people, including Basha, were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The latest parole decision has reopened debate over the balance between the legal rights of prisoners and the gravity of crimes for which they were convicted. While parole allows eligible prisoners temporary release under specified conditions, the decision in this case has become a subject of political controversy because of the devastating impact of the 1998 attacks.
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