CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A political controversy has intensified in Tamil Nadu after five convicts serving life sentences in the 1998 Coimbatore serial bomb blasts case were granted 60 days’ parole. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised the decision taken by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The BJP has demanded the immediate cancellation of the parole and accused the government of being lenient towards convicts in a serious crime.
The five convicts granted parole are Mohammed Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Monappa alias Mohammed Hasan, Mohammed Azam and Nawab Khan. According to officials, they have been granted 60 days’ parole on personal and health-related grounds. All of them are among the life convicts lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison and have been serving their sentences for a long time.
Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy criticised the decision, saying personal reasons cannot override the gravity of a serious terrorist attack. He demanded that the parole order be withdrawn. BJP state president Nainar Nagendran and leader Vanathi Srinivasan also questioned the decision. BJP leaders asked on what grounds and on whose recommendation the parole was approved. The party also alleged that the government was showing leniency towards the convicts for political interests. These allegations are political statements made by the BJP.
On the other hand, TVK MLA V.M.S. Mustafa supported the parole decision. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu also welcomed it. According to him, his party had been making continuous efforts to secure relief for prisoners who have been in jail for a long time.
The serial bomb blasts in Coimbatore on February 14, 1998, killed 58 people and injured more than 250. The explosions took place ahead of an election rally of senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. Several accused were convicted and sentenced in the case. After parole was granted to the five convicts, a debate has begun in Tamil Nadu over law, justice and political accountability. Attention is now focused on the government’s decision and the BJP’s demand to cancel the parole.
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