SC refuses bail to 12 convicts in church blast cases of 2000

New Delhi, May 3: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant bail to 12 people belonging to the Deendar Anjuman group, who have been awarded life term for carrying out a series of blasts at various places in Karnataka in year 2000.

A bench of Justices P C Ghose and R F Nariman put the appeals filed by them against their conviction and sentence for consideration after the summer vacation.

Advocate Kamini Jaiswal, appearing for the convicts, sought bail for them on the ground of parity with another convict Syed Abdul Khader Gilani. She said the other petitioners should also be enlarged till the time the apex court heard their appeal against their conviction and sentence.

Karnataka’s additional advocate general Devadutt Kamat, on the other hand, opposed her plea. He said the convicts, being members of Deendar Anjuman organisation, conspired and carried out the blasts at different churches in Bengaluru, Hubballi and Kalaburagi in order to disturb peace.

Kamat also urged the apex court to recall the order granting bail to Gilani in February this year. He said the convict may flee to Pakistan as he had earlier travelled several times to the neighbouring country. The state government submitted it would soon file a petition seeking restoration of death penalty to them.

Jaiswal, however, countered his arguments, saying Gilani did not have a passport and he was very much present in Bengaluru. On this, Kamat contended the convict did not require valid passport for going to Pakistan. The bench then asked the government to file a proper application for recalling the bail order.

The petitioners challenged the December 14, 2014, order of the Karnataka High Court which upheld their conviction in the case. The high court had commuted the death penalty awarded to them by the trial court to life term.

On June 8, 2000, two consecutive blasts took place in three hours at St Ann’s catholic church, Wadi, Chittapur taluk, Kalaburagi district. Another blast took place on July 8 the same year at St Lutheran Church in Hubballi. The third bomb went off on July 9, 2000 at St Peter and Paul church on JJ Nagar Main Road bengaluru,

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SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

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