Delhi Blasts – High Court Declines Bail for Mansoor Peerbhoy
Delhi Blasts – The Delhi High Court has refused bail to Mansoor Asghar Peerbhoy, an alleged Indian Mujahideen operative accused of handling the group’s media and technology-related activities in connection with the 2008 Delhi serial blasts case. The court said the seriousness of the allegations and concerns related to national security outweighed the request for release during trial.
Court Cites Alleged Role in Pre-Blast Email
A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain delivered the order on Tuesday while hearing Peerbhoy’s challenge to a trial court decision that had rejected his bail plea on July 19, 2025.
The judges referred to allegations that Peerbhoy was involved in sending an email titled “Message of Death” to media organisations shortly before the explosions. The message allegedly claimed responsibility for the attacks. According to the court, the nature of the alleged operation suggested extensive planning, coordination and use of technical expertise.
The bench observed that the prosecution’s case placed Peerbhoy at the centre of the technological side of the alleged conspiracy. It said such an operation would have required skilled handling of digital communication and logistics.
Long Detention Not Sufficient for Bail, Bench Says
Peerbhoy had argued that he had remained in custody for around 17 years as an undertrial prisoner and should therefore be granted bail. The High Court, however, said the duration of detention alone could not determine the outcome in a case involving allegations of terrorism and offences carrying severe penalties.
The court noted that the charges against him were of an exceptionally serious nature. It said the law provides for stringent punishment in such cases, including the death penalty in appropriate circumstances. In view of the allegations, the bench concluded that the long period spent in custody did not by itself justify granting bail.
September 2008 Blasts Caused Heavy Casualties
The Delhi serial blasts took place on September 13, 2008, when explosions struck several locations in the national capital. Twenty-six people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in the attacks.
Investigators have alleged that the banned Indian Mujahideen was behind the coordinated explosions. The case remains one of the major terrorism prosecutions linked to a series of attacks reported in different Indian cities during that period.
Prosecution Alleges Technical Support to Conspiracy
The prosecution has described Peerbhoy, a software engineer, as a key member of the organisation’s alleged communication network. Authorities have maintained that his role was not linked to placing explosives but to providing digital and technical support to the broader conspiracy.
Police have alleged that he helped prepare and circulate emails intended to claim responsibility for the blasts. Investigators also accused him of assisting in the development and management of the group’s online communication and propaganda systems.
According to the case record, Peerbhoy was arrested by the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad in October 2008. He was subsequently taken into custody by the Delhi Police Special Cell in relation to the Delhi blasts investigation.
The High Court’s decision means Peerbhoy will remain in judicial custody while proceedings in the case continue. The trial court will continue to examine the evidence and charges in accordance with the legal process.