MUMBAI: Observing that the plea of being guilty appears to be tainted by his intention to seek lesser punishment and is also inspired by his long incarceration, a special court recently rejected the guilty plea of an accused in jail for over 12 years in the 2012 JM Road (Pune) bomb blasts case. The judge also noted that in view of the seriousness of the offence, the plea of guilty raised by the accused, Imran Khan, cannot be accepted. “Considering such an approach of the accused, it is clearly the plea to be raised of being guilty to secure leniency in punishment, and it does not reflect any positive assertion of committing particular acts by being a member of a conspiracy which were against the Govt of Law,” the judge said.
The judge further stated that a general guilty plea from an accused cannot be considered a voluntary acceptance of guilt for specific unlawful acts unless the accused clearly details their precise role in committing the crime. Without this level of detailed explanation, typically provided in an affidavit, the guilty plea cannot be deemed specific or voluntary, the judge reasoned.
“Rather, the circumstances reveal that the accused has raised the plea of being guilty repeatedly since the year 2023 due to the long incarceration and delayed trial and to seek lenient punishment on such count. The aspect of such long incarceration is being put forth as a point of bargaining on the point of quantum of sentence, which negates the plea of being guilty on his part,” the judge said. Once an accused pleads guilty and the court accepts it, he forfeits his right to a trial.
On August 1, 2012, four coordinated low-intensity explosions shook JM Road between 7.25 pm and 11.30 pm, injuring one person. Two more bombs were defused.
On February 20, 2025, Imran presented the application in person. He stated that he was continuously imprisoned since his arrest on December 20, 2012, for this crime. During his lengthy incarceration, he came to recognise his errors and wished to refrain from such actions in the future, instead dedicating his time and energy to constructive endeavours. His plea stated that he voluntarily and unconditionally pleaded guilty to all charges against him and requested that the court impose a sentence that serves the interest of his and his family’s well-being, as well as justice.
Special Public Prosecutor Vaibhav Bagade opposed the plea and sought its rejection. The accused was heard in person on April 9. Subsequently, he was given time for reconsideration and reflection until April 17. The accused did not withdraw his plea.
Last week, rejecting his plea, the judge said, “Offences for which charges are framed against the accused are of serious nature. It needs to be seen that it is the crime of having arranged, by being associated with a terrorist association, for causing the bomb blast at several places at Jangli Maharaj Road, Pune. The accused is also charged with such offence by having participated in the conspiracy and for having carried out reconnaissance at specified places on the instructions of other accused. He is also alleged to have participated in the crime by having purchased the material for preparing bombs.”