COIMBATORE: The state govt’s move to grant a 60-day parole for five convicts of the 1998 Coimbatore serial bomb blasts case last week has triggered a backlash from BJP.BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu accused the TVK govt of ‘minority appeasement’ and linked the parole decision to TVK’s alliance with IUML. However, VMS Mustafa, a TVK MLA, has defended the move and thanked chief minister C Joseph Vijay.BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran demanded immediate cancellation of the parole. He said the parole amounts to injustice to 58 people who were killed and more than 250 injured in the Feb 14, 1998, blasts.BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan questioned the basis for granting parole. “On whose recommendation was the parole granted? The Tamil Nadu minister for prisons must explain the reason behind the decision,” she said.The five convicts lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison — Mohammed Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Monappa alias Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Ajam and Nawab Khan — were released on parole on Saturday.Police officials say this was not the first time that parole was being granted for the bomb blast convicts. While a week or a fortnight long parole was given in the past, the 60 day parole was given in February this year after the govt issued an order allowing the long duration for convicts who have completed ten years in jail.The govt order was issued following a writ petition (30212/2024) before Madras high court, seeking release of the bomb blast case accused who have imprisoned for more than two decades. The court directed the state govt to consider the demands of the convicts in November 2025. Subsequently the state govt issued an order (GO No – 82 (Home) (Prison-V) on February 14, 2026 which was published it in the gazette on the same day.The GO said that convict prisoners were eligible for furlough if they have completed ten years of imprisonment and their conduct during the period of incarceration has been satisfactory. No convict prisoner shall claim furlough as a matter of right, though.The Go said the DGP (Prisons) may grant furlough for a period not exceeding 60 days in a year. The govt may sanction furlough for a further period up to 60 days for reasons to be corded in writing if it is considered necessary in the interest of rehabilitation.“During the DMK govt itself, Nawab Khan and a few more bomb blast case accused were given parole for two months. The parole for first 60 days was given by the DGP (prisons) in February 2026. The next phase of 60 days parole was approved by the state govt later,” said an official from the prison department.However, BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi said that the TVK govt’s decision reflected a “soft approach” towards bomb blast case convicts.
