Palar Bomb Blast Case: Supreme Court extends Veerappan’s associate Gnana Prakash's bail
Today, while hearing the writ petition related to the Palar Bomb Blast case, the Supreme Court of India extended the interim bail of Gnana Prakash, Verrappan’s associate (brigand). He was sentenced to life imprisonment under the TADA, Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention), Act, 1987 in the Palar Bomb Blast case. After spending almost 30 years under incarceration, the sexagenarian life convict was released in the year 2022 as he was diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court in a writ petition filed by Selva Mary, his wife. The matter was heard today by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court which includes Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
While denying the counsel’s request to pass the matter over, Justice Khanna said, “Let’s wait for the outcome. Meanwhile, place the guidelines on record. We have said interim order to continue”. He added, “The man is already out on bail. If he were behind [bars], we would have agreed to grant a pass-over.” The bench ordered “In view of the request made by the counsel for the State of Karnataka, re-list after four weeks. The state of Karnataka will place on record the policy as directed in the last order. It is also stated by the counsel appearing for the state that they have recommended the release of the petitioner and the request is pending before the Ministry of Home Affairs. Interim order to continue.”
The incident took place on April 9, 1993, and was orchestrated by dacoit Veerappan where the lives of 22 people, including two forest guards and five Tamil Nadu Special Task Force members, were claimed by him and his gang. The Palar Bomb Blast contributed the single highest number of casualties leading to over a hundred people being booked under the TADA Act. In 2004, four accused, Veerappan’s elder brother Gnana Prakash, Meesekar Madaiah, Bilavendran, and Simon, were awarded death penalties. However, in 2014, the Supreme Court commuted death penalty into life imprisonment. Two of the convicts, Simon and Bilavendran died whereas Meesekar Madaiah is still undergoing his punishment at the Mysusri central prison.
Gnana Prakash was released last year after his wife move to the Supreme Court determining the worsening of his health. In October and November, Justice Khanna directed to release Gnana Prakash on interim bail stating, “The petitioner’s husband namely, Gnana Prakash will be released on interim bail, which will continue till the next date of hearing, on terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial Court.” Further, in February last year, his bail order was extended by the Supreme Court. While hearing the petition today, the Supreme Court, considering his health, extended interim bail.
