SC grants bail to Bajrangi convicted in Naroda Patiya case

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the 2002 massacre in the Naroda Patiya area of Ahmedabad, in which 97 people were killed.

The Gujarat High Court had on April 20 last year upheld the conviction of Bajrangi.

The bench of Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice Ajay Rastogi directed the release of Bajrangi on bail on medical condition, including 100% loss of vision and profound hearing loss.

It was contended before the court that Bajrangi is not in a position to move on his own and requires assistance for carrying out his day-to-day activities.

The Gujarat government in its response confirmed the medical certificates produced by Babu Bajrangi. The state government said the medical certificates are "authentic and the ailment suffered by the applicant (Babu Bajrangi), as stated therein, is correct."

Babu Bajrangi was on bail during the trial.

"Taking overall view of the matter, we are inclined to direct release of the applicant, Babubhai @ Babu Bajrangi Maratha ... on bail to the satisfaction of the trial court and on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the trial court", the court said in its order granting bail to Babu Bajrangi.

It further said that the apprehension expressed by the intervenor may be taken note of by the trial court for imposing appropriate condition.

Babu Bajrangi moved the top court challenging the April 20, 2018, order of Gujarat High Court upholding his conviction and life imprisonment sentence by the trial court.