Overview

• Special Judge Shayana Patil declined Asad Khan’s bail application, noting that his trial has commenced and that prima facie evidence against him remains strong.
• Khan has been held as an undertrial since his December 20, 2012 arrest in connection with five low-intensity blasts on Pune’s JM Road that injured one person.
• Prosecution presented a hard disk containing extremist speeches and incriminating articles and alleged the blasts were plotted to avenge the death of Indian Mujahideen member Quatil Siddique.
• Defence counsel argued the trial has progressed slowly with only about 20 of more than 300 witnesses examined and pointed to a co-accused’s 2024 bail grant as precedent.
• The court rejected claims that delay was solely attributable to investigators, and the defence may now seek relief from higher courts as hundreds of witnesses remain to testify.