In a significant verdict, the Special Court for NIA and POTA Cases at Poonamallee in Chennai has delivered a conviction in a long-pending terrorism case. The court found Zulfigar Ali, also known as Appakutty, guilty for his involvement in a dangerous 1999 serial bomb-planting conspiracy. This plot specifically targeted police and prison establishments across various districts of Tamil Nadu.
Seven-Year Sentence in Split-Up Trial
Judge S Malarvizhi pronounced the sentence, awarding Zulfigar Ali seven years of rigorous imprisonment. This trial was a split-up proceeding from the larger and more infamous 1998–99 Coimbatore serial blast cases. In her judgment, the judge firmly established that the conspiracy was meticulously hatched by the banned Islamist organization, Al-Umma. The primary motive was to retaliate against what the group alleged was the ill-treatment of Muslim prisoners within Tamil Nadu's prison system.
The 1999 Bombing Campaign
The operational phase of this conspiracy unfolded on May 30, 1999. On that day, explosive devices were planted at five different locations across three major Tamil Nadu cities: Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli (Tiruchy). These sites were all linked to police or prison authorities. While one bomb successfully detonated at the Victoria Students' Hostel in Triplicane, Chennai, the others were fortunately detected by security forces and safely defused, preventing greater tragedy.
Unraveling the Conspiracy Network
The court's investigation meticulously traced the origins of this plot. It revealed that the conspiracy was born out of a series of clandestine meetings held in multiple cities, including Madurai, Ilayankudi, Palani, Chennai, and Coimbatore. Explosive materials, sourced from Tirunelveli, were then assembled into functional devices. These included gelatin sticks, booster charges, electronic timers, and pipe bombs. A distinctive modus operandi was noted: the finished bombs were uniformly transported in common jute shopping bags fitted with bamboo handles, likely to avoid suspicion.
Zulfigar Ali's Specific Role and Evidence
The prosecution successfully proved that Zulfigar Ali's activities were central to the Coimbatore segment of the plot. Concrete evidence placed him at several conspiracy meetings. He was also implicated in the storage of explosives at a location known as Mahaboob Engineering Works and played a key role in facilitating the transport of these deadly materials.
On May 29, 1999, the day before the coordinated attacks, a box bomb was placed at the Variety Hall Road police quarters in Coimbatore. This device, however, failed to explode due to a technical defect. Crucially, Al-Umma pamphlets were recovered from this site, directly linking the act to the banned outfit.
Arrest and Recovery of Incriminating Material
Following police searches on May 30, 1999, a rexin bag containing another box bomb and more Al-Umma pamphlets was discovered and subsequently defused. Zulfigar Ali was arrested shortly thereafter at Gandhi Park in Coimbatore. The court record states that he confessed before independent witnesses. This confession led to the recovery of further evidence, including a scooter, additional Al-Umma pamphlets, and a set of keys, strengthening the case against him.
Court's Reliance on Confessional Statements
A pivotal aspect of the judgment was the court's strong reliance on Zulfigar Ali's own confessions. These statements were formally recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before multiple magistrates. The judge categorically rejected the defense's claim that these confessions were coerced.
The court noted that all due legal cautions were issued to the accused at the time of recording, his voluntariness was explicitly documented, and no challenge to the statements was raised for many years. The judge observed that the belated retraction of the confession appeared to be an unconvincing afterthought, lacking any credibility.
Reasoning Based on Circumstantial Evidence
In its detailed reasoning, the court acknowledged that while there was no direct eyewitness evidence of Zulfigar Ali physically planting a bomb, the chain of circumstantial evidence was complete and unbroken. This evidence conclusively pointed to his guilt as a conspirator and facilitator. The judgment cited relevant Supreme Court rulings, clarifying that for offences of conspiracy and attempt under the Explosive Substances Act, the law does not require an actual explosion or physical injury to have occurred for a conviction to stand. The intent and the act in furtherance of the conspiracy are sufficient to establish guilt.
This verdict marks a delayed but crucial step in delivering justice for a terror plot that aimed to destabilize law and order in Tamil Nadu over two decades ago.
