West Bengal moves Supreme Court against early release of 1993 Bowbazar blast convict

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The West Bengal government on Thursday (June 18, 2026) approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order directing the release of Rashid Khan, who is serving a life sentence in the 1993 Bowbazar blast case that left 69 people dead in Kolkata. The State sought urgent intervention from the apex court to prevent his release.

The counsel representing the State sought urgent listing of the matter before a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana, contending that the case involved a “very serious offence” and should be heard on Monday (June 22). He also pointed out that the June 5 judgment of the High Court had erred in directing Khan’s premature release despite the State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) having repeatedly declined his requests for remission.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice sought to know the period of incarceration already undergone by Khan. In response, the counsel for the State submitted that he had spent nearly 30 years in prison, including the remission earned during his incarceration.

Also read: A new lease of life under the sun for death row prisoners

The Chief Justice thereafter agreed to consider the State’s request for listing the matter.

Also read:For Delhi’s lifers, release after 14 yrs becomes a board game

Seeking remission, the convict submitted that he had spent more than 33 years in custody and was now 77 years old. He relied on his advanced age and various medical conditions, including age-related ailments, in support of his plea. He also pointed out that a co-convict, Pannalal Jaysowara, had been granted premature release in March 2014.

The court was apprised that the SSRB had recommended his release on March 25, 2015, but the recommendation was subsequently reviewed and rejected in September that year.

The State, however, opposed the plea, maintaining that Khan was the “mastermind” behind the blast and was not entitled to premature release