2007 Blast Case: State To Challenge HC Order On Wronged Yout

Congress MLC and former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir gave an assurance that the state government would challenge an order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court which had set aside the compensation paid to the innocent Muslim youth who were wrongly arrested in relation to the 2007 Mecca Masjid bomb blasts case.

Talking to reporters here, Shabbir Ali said that the government would file a review petition in the High Court, against the order. He said, "The government will also approach the Supreme Court if required. It will be ensured that the innocent Muslim youth get the compensation."

Earlier, Shabbir Ali had called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Chief Secretary Dr. P K Mohanty, the Advocate General, and other senior officials, to discuss the follow-up action to be taken over the High Court's order. He added, "The Chief Minister assured that the Congress government was firm on its stand that the Muslim youth who were wrongly booked in the blast case would be paid adequate compensation."

Defending the payment of compensation, Shabbir Ali said that the government is only attempting to heal the wounds of innocent youth who became victims of a wrong investigative process. He said, "The Andhra Pradesh government has set an example for the entire country, and compensation should be paid in all such cases, irrespective of the religion of the victim."

Earlier when Shabbir Ali was the Minorities Welfare Minister in the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government, he had convinced the party higher-ups to announce compensation to around 70 Muslim youth, after it was proved during the NIA's investigation that they were innocent.

The youth were also acquitted by the court. Tendering an apology in the State Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister had announced that the innocent Muslim youth would be given Character Certificates.

However, delivering its verdict on a Public Interest Litigation filed by S Venkatesh Goud, a division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sengupta and Justice K C Bhanu, dismissed the government order to pay compensation.

As per the order, the government had awarded Rs. 3 lakh each to 20 persons, and Rs. 20,000 to 50 youths, who were wrongly arrested in the blast case. (INN)