 "Terrorist activities must be dealt with iron hands of law: SC")
Terrorist activities must be dealt with "iron hands of law" as they generate a stir in the sanctity and divinity of law, the Supreme Court today said while upholding the conviction of four people in blasts at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur on the Republic Day in 1996.
"A great country like ours cannot succumb to this kind of terrorist activity as it is nationally as well as internationally obnoxious. Such tolerance would tantamount to acceptance of defeat.
"The iron hands of law have to fall and in the obtaining facts and circumstances, as the charges have been proved beyond reasonable doubt, the law has rightly visited the appellants and, accordingly, we concur with the same," a bench of Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra said while dismissing the appeal of convicts.
It said law cannot remain silent to this because it is the duty of law to resist such attacks on peace.
"We have, in agony and anguish, have expressed thus because when a devastating activity like the present one occurs on the Republic Day of our country Bharat, it injures the nationality, disturbs the equilibrium of each individual citizen, creates a concavity in the equanimity of the peace of the State, generates a stir in the sanctity and divinity of law and order situation which is paramount in any civilized State, attempts to endanger the economic growth of a country and, in the ultimate eventuate, destroys the conceptual normalcy of any habitat," it said.
The court upheld the trial court and Rajasthan High Court order sentencing accused Abdul Mateen, a Pakistani national, to ten-year jail term. It also upheld the same punishment given to other accused Chandra Prakash, Abdul Hamid and Raies Beg.
The blast had taken place at Gate No.12 and 13 towards the southern and eastern side of Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur where the state-level function on the Republic Day was going to be celebrated.
"A great country like ours cannot succumb to this kind of terrorist activity as it is nationally as well as internationally obnoxious. Such tolerance would tantamount to acceptance of defeat.
"The iron hands of law have to fall and in the obtaining facts and circumstances, as the charges have been proved beyond reasonable doubt, the law has rightly visited the appellants and, accordingly, we concur with the same," a bench of Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra said while dismissing the appeal of convicts.
It said law cannot remain silent to this because it is the duty of law to resist such attacks on peace.
"We have, in agony and anguish, have expressed thus because when a devastating activity like the present one occurs on the Republic Day of our country Bharat, it injures the nationality, disturbs the equilibrium of each individual citizen, creates a concavity in the equanimity of the peace of the State, generates a stir in the sanctity and divinity of law and order situation which is paramount in any civilized State, attempts to endanger the economic growth of a country and, in the ultimate eventuate, destroys the conceptual normalcy of any habitat," it said.
The court upheld the trial court and Rajasthan High Court order sentencing accused Abdul Mateen, a Pakistani national, to ten-year jail term. It also upheld the same punishment given to other accused Chandra Prakash, Abdul Hamid and Raies Beg.
The blast had taken place at Gate No.12 and 13 towards the southern and eastern side of Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur where the state-level function on the Republic Day was going to be celebrated.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%