SC Stays Acquittal Of 12 In 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts; Challenges Bombay High Court Verdict

The Supreme Court of India has stayed the Bombay High Court’s verdict acquitting all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, which killed 187 and injured over 800.

The apex court also issued notices to the acquitted parties, asking them to respond within four weeks.

A bench led by Justice M M Sundresh passed the order and clarified that the High Court’s ruling could not serve as a legal precedent.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a petition filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the acquittal.

Appearing for the Maharashtra government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stressed that the state’s objective was not to return the acquitted individuals to prison.

Rather, the state was concerned that the Bombay High Court’s judgement could adversely affect pending cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

During the hearing, Justice Sundresh pointed out that some of the accused were reportedly Pakistani nationals, lending the case both international implications and heightened seriousness.

High Court Acquittal After 19 Years

In a dramatic turn, the Bombay High Court had earlier overturned the convictions made by the special TADA court, acquitting all 12 accused.

Of these, five had originally received the death penalty, while the remaining seven were serving life sentences.

The High Court, delivering its ruling 19 years after the incident, stated that it did not find the evidence convincing enough to prove the accused had committed the crime.

It ordered their immediate release, provided they were not wanted in any other cases.

The judgement also pointed to key shortcomings in the prosecution’s case.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had earlier alleged that pressure cooker bombs were used in the blasts across first-class compartments of local trains.

However, the court noted that the prosecution had failed to provide definitive proof of the bomb type used.

Additionally, the court observed that the evidence presented was insufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the acquittals and made it clear that it has not delivered the final word on this high-profile case.

By seeking responses from the released individuals, the court has reignited debates on judicial standards in terrorism-related cases and the broader impact of such rulings on national security.

The bench will take up the matter again after the four-week response period ends.

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