Ahmedabad: A special court in the city rejected multiple requests from Hafizhusain Tajuddin Mulla, a man convicted in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blast case. The court, designated for speedy trial of serial blast cases, cited security concerns in denying Mulla’s appeals, which included permission for collective Friday prayers, access to newspapers, wearing a skull cap, and being kept in an open cell from sunrise to sunset.

Hafizhusain Tajuddin Mulla, sentenced to death last year along with 37 others, made these requests while currently lodged at Bhopal Central Jail. Mulla’s appeal, along with confirmation of the death sentence, is pending before the Gujarat High Court.

Regarding the request for collective prayers, the Bhopal jail authority expressed concerns about security, stating that allowing prisoners to pray together on Fridays could pose a threat, potentially leading to escapes. Prisoners currently offer Friday prayers individually in their cells, separated only by a single wall, allowing them to listen to each other during prayers.

In relation to access to newspapers, the jail authorities explained that while facilities are provided for 50 well-behaved prisoners to read newspapers, the jail manual does not allow separate newspapers for each cell.

On the issue of wearing a skull cap, the jail authorities referred to the jail manual provisions, noting that Sikhs are permitted to wear turbans, but there is no provision for Muslim prisoners to wear a religious cap instead of the jail dress cap. However, Muslim prisoners are allowed to observe religious practices such as keeping Roza, offering prayers, being exempted from haircuts and shaving, and keeping the Quran.

Judge Hareshkumar Himmatlal Thakkar, presiding over the specially designated court, rejected Mulla’s pleas, considering the security concerns raised by the Bhopal jail authority. The court emphasised the serious nature of the offence and deemed the prisoner’s requests “wrong and illegal demands.” Notably, in February 2013, 14 accused individuals in the 2008 serial bomb blasts allegedly attempted to escape from Sabarmati Central Jail by digging a 213-foot-long tunnel inside the barracks. DeshGujarat