Supreme Court Pauses Order Acquitting 12 In Mumbai Train Blasts Case
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said the high court judgment shall not be treated as a precedent, and issued notice to all the accused in the case. The court, however, did not stay the release of the accused from prison.
The developments came as the top court was hearing a petition by the Maharashtra government challenging the High Court verdict.
More than 180 people were killed in the seven bomb blasts that ripped through separate Mumbai local trains within a span of 11 minutes on July 11, 2006. On Monday, the High Court had acquitted all the 12 accused, saying the prosecution had utterly failed to prove the case and it was "hard to believe the accused committed the crime".
Appearing for the Maharashtra government in the top court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought a stay on the verdict but did not press for a stay on the release of the acquitted persons.
"I am seeking stay, not to bring them back to jail. Certain findings of laws will affect the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act) trial. May consider saying they may not be required in jail," he said.
The court said since all the accused were released, there was no question of sending them back to the prison. "However, on submissions of learned SG, the impugned judgment will not be treated as precedent," it said.
Justice Sundresh said he read the case files and learnt that some of the accused are Pakistani nationals.
In its order earlier this week, the High Court bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Shyam Chandak set aside a September 2015 judgment of the MCOCA court that had imposed the death penalty on five of the 12 accused persons and had sentenced the remaining seven to life.
"The prosecution has utterly failed to prove the case against the accused. It is hard to believe that the accused committed the crime. Hence, their conviction is quashed and set aside," it said.
The court also said the explosives, arms and maps recovered during the investigation appeared to be unrelated to the blasts. The prosecution, it said, could not even prove what kind of bombs were used in the blasts. It subsequently ordered the release of all the accused if they are not wanted in any other case.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had described the acquittals as "shocking". "I have discussed with the lawyers, and the high court verdict will be challenged in the Supreme Court," he said.
Rigged pressure cookers were used for the bombings to amplify the damage caused in 2006. The first blast occurred at 6.24 pm - rush hour due to people returning from work - and the last at 6.35 pm. The bombs were placed in first-class compartments of trains from Churchgate. They exploded near the stations of Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar Road, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar and Borivali.
In 2015, the special court of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act sentenced Faisal Sheikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Sidduqui and Naveed Khan to death. Seven other convicts Mohammed Sajid Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Dr Tanveer Ansari, Majid Shafi, Muzzammil Shaikh, Sohail Shaikh and Zamir Shaikh were sentenced to life imprisonment for being a part of the conspiracy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
SC questions U.P.'s use of ordinance to take control of Banke Bihari temple
NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Monday (August 4, 2025) questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's haste in promulgating an ordinance to take over the management of the ancient Banke Bihari temple at Vrindavan in Mathura. A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant also expressed disapproval of the 'clandestine' manner employed by the State to secure the court's permission, getting a judgment on May 15 by filing a civil dispute to use temple funds to develop the Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor project. The Bench orally considered recalling its directions in the May verdict allowing the use of the temple funds for the corridor development project, which may spell a blow to the State Government's plans. The court also suggested passing an order to have a committee manage the temple until the High Court decided the validity of the ordinance. The Bench adjourned the case to August 5, asking Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, who appeared for Uttar Pradesh, to take instructions from the State Government on the suggestions. Find a way out 'This is the land of Lord Krishna. He was the first mediator known to the world. Let's find a way out to resolve this dispute that has been pending for years and develop the area in the interests of lakhs of devotees who visit these iconic religious places. Basic amenities need to be created, as nowadays religious tourism is one of the biggest sources of revenue,' Justice Kant remarked. The bench assured all the stakeholders, including factions engaged in pitch rivalry over the temple management, that a responsible person would take care of temple affairs besides implementing the mandate to develop the adjoining areas and small temples in nearby localities. The managing committee members and other petitioners, who sought the recall or modification of the May 15 decision, were asked for suggestions with respect to the management of the temple. The court was hearing a plea by the management committee of the temple, which has challenged the ordinance.
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Over 140 fined for illegally feeding pigeons in Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has fined over 140 people between July 13 and August 3 as part of its crackdown against those illegally feeding pigeons. The civic body has raked in penalties of up to Rs 68,700 from those fined. The BMC's action came after the state government, on July 3, directed it to immediately shut down all pigeon feeding grounds (kabutarkhanas). According to data furnished by the state Urban Development Minister Uday Samant, the city is home to at least 51 kabutarkhanas. Records show that the civic body has imposed fines on at least 142 persons between July 13 and August 3 for illegally feeding pigeons in the city. The civic body has carried out action across at least 44 kabutarkhanas, with the BMC collecting total fines of upto Rs. 68,700. The BMC is entitled to levy a fine of Rs 500 upon anyone who is found feeding animals/birds in non-designated areas. Of this, the highest penalties have been imposed at Dadar's iconic kabutarkhanas wherein at least 58 people were fined for feeding birds. between July 4 and August 8. Bringing to close a nearly century-old tradition, the BMC on August 2 shut the Dadar feeding ground by covering the site with tarpaulin sheets. In Dadar, the BMC had also filed an FIR against an unidentified person at the Mahim Police Station on August 1 for feeding pigeons. The stringent measures come along the heels of the Bombay High Court order issued on July 30, directing the civic body to lodge FIRs against persons 'illegally' and in a 'defiant' manner feeding pigeons at Dadar West, among other feeding areas in Mumbai, despite the policy prohibiting the feeding. After Dadar, records show that the second highest fines have been imposed in the H/West ward wherein at least 15 people have been fined for feeding pigeons at two kabutarkhanas. Meanwhile, Rs 6,500 have been collected in penalties against 13 persons for unauthorised feeding in the T ward which encompasses Mulund. Meanwhile, in at least five wards — B ward, C ward, L ward, M/west and M/East ward — the civic body has imposed no fines for illegal bird feeding. Health experts have pointed to severe respiratory and systemic illnesses and their link with pigeons. However, the closure of kabutarkhanas and the ban on bird feeding drew criticism from several quarters with members of the Jain community on Sunday morning carrying out a 'Shantidoot Yatra' from Colaba to Gateway of India in protest.
NDTV
28 minutes ago
- NDTV
Drones, Helicopters Part Of Major Anti-Terror Operation In Jammu And Kashmir's Kulgam
Srinagar: The security forces used drones and attack helicopters during a protracted anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. Amid heavy firing and occasional explosions, drones are seen dropping explosives on target areas in the thick alpine forests of Akhal. It's day four of the encounter between security forces and terrorists who appear to be well entrenched. Troops, including special forces or para-troopers of the Army, are treading cautiously as helicopters hover over the area and drones continue to hit suspected hideouts in the forests. The encounter started on Friday after the Army, police and CRPF launched a joint operation following a tip-off about the presence of a large group of terrorists in Akhal area. In the initial shootout, one local terrorist was killed. Subsequently, police said that one more terrorist was killed, but his body couldn't be recovered due to the ongoing fierce gun battle. Three soldiers have also been injured in the encounter. "So far, we have recovered the body of one terrorist. We have observed the body of another terrorist, but we will wait till the body is recovered. It's a difficult terrain and a dense forest area," said VK Birdi, IGP Kashmir. Police sources say there was information about the presence of five terrorists when the operation was launched. According to reports, at least two or three are foreign terrorists who appear to be well-trained in jungle warfare. There are very few local terrorists left in Kashmir and they are scarcely trained to face the security forces. According to Mr Birdi, firing is still going on and terrorists appear to be firing from two directions. This is the third encounter in the last week. Earlier, three terrorists, who were behind the Pahalgam massacre, were killed in a meticulously planned operation by the security forces. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that the three were identified as Pakistani terrorists who had carried out brutal killings of 26 innocent people in Pahalgam on April 22. On Thursday, two more terrorists were killed near the line of control in Poonch. Police said that they had infiltrated from Pakistan and were intercepted soon after they entered the Indian side.
