Mumbai, June 24, 2025:- In a key development linked to the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case, a special TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act) court has directed the Arthur Road Jail authorities to ensure enhanced security measures for Munaf Halari, an alleged close aide of absconding prime accused Tiger Memon.
Halari, designated as accused number 147 in the decades-long case, had submitted a formal plea seeking solitary confinement within the high-security ‘Anda Cell’ of the prison, citing grave threats to his life from rival gang members and extremist inmates.
The 61-year-old accused was arrested in February 2020 for allegedly facilitating the procurement of scooters that were later used as explosive-laden vehicles in the coordinated serial blasts that rocked Mumbai in March 1993. He was initially held at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad and was transferred to Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail on June 2.
Through his counsel, advocate Ayush Pasbola, Halari expressed concerns about internal prison conflicts and alleged intimidation from inmates linked to radical outfits. While the prosecution refrained from opposing the plea outright, it flagged the potential violation of the Maharashtra Prison Manual if solitary confinement were prolonged, warning against using isolation as a blanket solution.
Arthur Road Jail officials opposed the petition citing severe overcrowding. The facility, originally built to house 999 inmates, currently holds over 3,460 prisoners. The Anda Cell, a maximum-security zone designed for 31 inmates, is already accommodating 43.
Taking note of both the security concerns and infrastructural limitations, the TADA court has ordered prison authorities to implement appropriate measures to ensure Halari’s safety, without breaching established prison guidelines. The court emphasized the need to balance inmate rights, safety considerations, and institutional capacities.
The 1993 Mumbai bombings remain one of India’s most devastating terror attacks, killing over 250 people and injuring more than 700. As proceedings continue against the remaining accused, the focus remains on justice and security — both inside and outside the courtroom.
