Funeral of Coimbatore Bombing Conspirator: 2,000 Police Personnel Mobilized to Ensure Safety

Chennai, Dec 17 (NationPress) The Coimbatore Police have mobilized around 2,000 officers to ensure safety during the funeral procession for S. A. Basha, the founder of the outlawed Islamist group Al-Ummah and the chief architect behind the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts.

The tragic blasts claimed the lives of 58 innocent individuals and left over 200 injured.

Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Balakrishnan has directed that all police personnel currently on leave return to duty without delay.

Basha, aged 84, who had been on parole since April 18, 2024, passed away at a private hospital in Coimbatore on Monday evening.

His remains were taken to his son Siddique Ali's residence located at Rose Garden in South Ukkadam, Coimbatore, on the same day.

The family announced that the final rites would occur at the Hyder Ali Tippu Sultan Sunnath Jamaath Masjid at Flower Market on Tuesday.

A funeral procession will proceed from the Rose Garden in South Ukkadam to the Sunnath Jamaath Masjid. Police are heightening vigilance to prevent any disturbances.

Basha, who initially worked as a firewood commission agent and later ventured into real estate, was the primary suspect in the Coimbatore serial bombings.

The attack was reportedly planned to target BJP leader L. K. Advani, who was visiting Coimbatore for an election event.

In the aftermath of the incident, over 160 individuals, including Basha and Al-Ummah president Ansari, were apprehended, leading to the organization's ban.

Basha faced accusations of facilitating the acquisition of approximately 650 kg of gelatin and other explosive materials from Mysuru for the purpose of fabricating bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The Crime Branch-CID (Special Investigation Team) arrested 166 individuals in connection with the Coimbatore bomb blast case, including Basha.

A special court for the trial convicted 158 individuals, with 43 receiving life sentences.

Subsequently, 41 individuals appealed to the Madras High Court, which released two due to their juvenile status during the blasts.

The court confirmed life sentences for 17 individuals while acquitting 22 others.

The Madras High Court also dismissed Basha's appeal against his life sentence. It is noteworthy that Al-Ummah had significant influence in Tamil Nadu’s western and southern regions, especially in Coimbatore, Dindigul, Madurai, and Tirunelveli.

Basha was implicated in various assassination attempts targeting notable leaders, including former BJP national president Jana Krishnamoorthy and Hindu Munnani leader Thirukovilur Sundaram.

He was also accused of attempting to murder Rama Gopalan, the then Hindu Munnani Tamil Nadu state organizer, in 1984 at the Madurai railway station.