Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Orders Fresh Trial in 1996 Rajasthan Bus Blast Case
The Supreme Court has decided to have a new trial for Dr. Abdul Hameed, who was originally sentenced to death for a bus bomb blast in Rajasthan in 1996.
The court said that Dr. Hameed did not get proper legal help during his first trial.
The blast killed 14 people and hurt 39 others.
The court also freed three other people who were accused in the case.
The new trial must be finished within one year.
The court did not say if Dr. Hameed is guilty or not, but said the new trial should be fair.
The Supreme Court set aside the conviction and death sentence of Dr. Abdul Hameed in the 1996 Samleti bus blast case.
The court ordered a fresh trial, to be concluded within one year, citing denial of adequate legal assistance during the original trial.
The blast killed 14 people and injured 39 others on May 22, 1996, near Samleti village in Rajasthan.
The Supreme Court acquitted co-accused Pappu alias Salim and dismissed appeals against the acquittal of Javed Khan and Abdul Goni.
The court clarified that its order is based on lack of fairness and procedural propriety, not the merits of the case.
- Who
- Dr. Abdul Hameed, Pappu alias Salim, Javed Khan, Abdul Goni
- What
- Supreme Court orders fresh trial in 1996 Rajasthan bus blast case
- When
- May 22, 1996 (incident), July 2019 (original conviction), 2023 (Supreme Court decision)
- Where
- Samleti village, Rajasthan
- Why
- Denial of adequate legal assistance during the original trial
Prosecution
Defense
Conviction and Sentencing
Prosecution
The prosecution sought a death sentence for Dr. Abdul Hameed, citing his involvement in multiple bomb blasts, including the 1996 Samleti bus blast and the Republic Day bomb blast in Jaipur.
Defense
The defense argued that Dr. Abdul Hameed was denied adequate legal assistance during his original trial, leading to a lack of fairness and procedural propriety.
- Date of Incident
- May 22, 1996
- Location of Incident
- Samleti village, Rajasthan
- Casualties
- 14 killed, 39 injured
- Original Conviction
- July 2019 by Rajasthan High Court
- Supreme Court Decision
- Set aside conviction and death sentence, ordered fresh trial
- Timeframe for Retrial
- One year
- Co-accused Acquitted
- Pappu alias Salim, Javed Khan, Abdul Goni
- Responsibility Claim
- Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front