Overview
- The Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 23, stayed the Delhi High Court order that had directed the premature release of Md Rashid Khan and issued notice on the State of West Bengal’s Special Leave Petition.
- The Delhi High Court had on June 5 allowed Khan’s plea for premature release, citing more than 33 years in custody, good prison conduct, advanced age and health ailments under a reformative theory of punishment.
- West Bengal told the apex court that the State Sentence Review Board had recommended against Khan’s release and argued the offence’s gravity warranted continued detention.
- During the hearing the bench described Khan’s role as that of a “mastermind” and said the blasts amounted to “almost a terrorist activity,” observations that underpinned the interim stay.
- The court listed the matter for further hearing on July 28 and the case now raises questions about how remission rules, SSRB decisions and parity with co‑convicts apply to convicts sentenced under central terrorism laws.