SA Basha, Coimbatore serial blasts kingpin, dies

CHENNAI: S A Basha, the founder of Al Ummah, an Islamic fundamentalist body and the first accused in the Coimbatore blast case, passed away on Monday. He was 83. Basha was under treatment for a long time due to age-related ailments. Basha and 16 other members of Al-Ummah have been serving life sentences since February 1998 in connection with the Coimbatore blast case. He was temporarily granted parole on October 19, 2023.

The government extended his parole since he had to continue treatment at a private hospital.

On February 14, 1998, 58 people lost their lives in a series of blasts in the RS Puram area and various parts of the city. 231 people were seriously injured that day. The attack took place before BJP leader LK Advani reached RS Puram for the election campaign. The police arrested 166 people including Basha in the incident. The special court found 158 people guilty. 43 of them were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Later, 41 people appealed to the Madras High Court. In it, the court released two minors at the time of the bomb blast. 17 people were sentenced to life imprisonment. 22 people were acquitted that day.