The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Kafeel Ahmed Mohammed Ayub, an alleged Indian Mujahideen operative and close associate of Yasin Bhatkal, in the 2011 Mumbai triple blast case. Ayub, a native of Darbhanga in Bihar, had been in custody since his arrest in 2012 by the Delhi Police Special Cell before being handed over to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
On July 13, 2011, three coordinated explosions ripped through Mumbai’s Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar and Dadar Kabutarkhana, killing 27 people and injuring over 100. The ATS arrested several accused between January and March 2012, including Naqi Shaikh, Nadeem Akhtar Shaikh, Kanwarnain Pathreja, Haroon Rasheed Naik and later, Ayub.
According to the ATS, Ayub was part of an organised crime syndicate linked to the Indian Mujahideen and had been closely associated with Bhatkal, the alleged mastermind. He was accused of indoctrinating Muslim youths, sheltering co-accused, and providing logistical support before and after the blasts.
The agency also invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case.
Advocate Mubin Solkar, appearing for Ayub, argued that even if the prosecution’s claims were accepted, his client could at most be held liable for harbouring co-accused persons, not for participating in or planning the blasts.
“No specific role is attributed to Ayub in the alleged crime. Even in the confession of co-accused Yasin Bhatkal, except for acknowledging acquaintance, there is nothing implicating Ayub,” Solkar submitted, adding that the accused has already spent over 13 years in custody.
The bench of Justices AS Gadkari and RR Bhonsale observed that the trial had been excessively delayed, with over 170 witnesses examined and around 130 still pending. Citing Supreme Court precedents on long incarceration and delayed trials, the court granted Ayub bail.
Despite the relief, Ayub will remain in custody as he is yet to secure bail in a separate case registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell.
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