Court rejects bail pleas of 2 persons accused in planning attack on Pune music fest

The two had filed for bail before the special court in Mumbai stating they were falsely implicated and that the trial in the case will take time to conclude even though they have been behind bars for five years. They also sought bail on grounds of parity referring to the bail granted to four other accused persons, one by the Supreme Court and three by the Bombay High Court on conditions including delayed trial.

The accused in the case are booked on charges including criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal code and relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Special Judge Rajesh Katariya, in his order on Thursday, said the evidence shows Miskin and Baddi were present in a conspiracy meeting and Baddi was also present when a recce was conducted where the Sunburn festival was to be held in Pune.

The ATS had opposed their bail plea stating the conspiracy of the accused was to throw crude bombs to disrupt the music event, perceiving it to be a ‘western music concert’ against Hindu culture. The larger conspiracy, as per the ATS, also involved attacking two movie theatres filming Padmavat.

“Considering the material against the accused there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against the applicant is prima facie true….The ground of parity is not applicable to the applicant. The charges against applicant and co-accused are framed. The prosecution is proceeding with the trial of the case. The matter is part-heard,” the court said, rejecting the plea.