1996 Samleti Bus Bomb Blast: Supreme Court Orders Fresh Trial Of Death Row Convict Citing Ineffective Legal Representation

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 21) set aside the death penalty of Dr. Abdul Hameed, who was convicted in the 1996 Samleti Bus Bomb Blast involving an IED which detonated on a passenger bus travelling from Agra to Bikaner near Samleti village, killing 14 persons and injuring 37 others.

The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta set aside the 2019 Rajasthan High Court judgement to the extent it upheld the conviction and death sentence of Hameed, citing ineffective assistance of counsel.

The judges have now ordered a de-novo trial in the matter. 

As three decades have lapsed since the mishap, the Court has requested the High Court to designate a special fast track court for conducting the denovo trial to be presided by a judicial officer having at least 7 years experience of conducting sessions trials. The trial court has been asked to make an endeavour to conclude it within 1 year.

"All observations made in the judgement concerning Dr Abdul Hameed are confined to the issue of fairness of the trial and the legality of the proceedings culminating in his conviction. The special court shall independently appreciate the evidence that may be adduced before it and decide the matter strictly on its own merits without being influenced by any observation contained in this judgement," the Supreme Court said. 

The court also acquitted Pappu@Salim and dismissed State's challenge his permanent parole. The court also dismissed State pleas challenging the acquittal of Javed Khan and Abdul Goni. 

Case details: Crl.A. No. 1827-1829/2019 Diary No. 38125 / 2019 ABDUL HAMEED Vs THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN