The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to urgently hear a plea filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the recent Bombay High Court verdict that acquitted all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts case. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria listed the matter for hearing on July 24.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra government, sought an urgent listing of the case, stating that the matter carried an element of urgency. Responding to the request, the court fixed the hearing for Thursday.
The appeal comes in the wake of a significant judgment delivered by the Bombay High Court on Monday, which overturned the convictions of all 12 individuals previously found guilty in connection with the serial bombings. The High Court had strongly criticised the prosecution’s case, observing that it had “utterly failed to prove the charges” and remarking that it was “hard to believe” the accused were responsible for the attacks.
The devastating blasts, which occurred on July 11, 2006, targeted the suburban trains during evening rush hour, resulting in the death of over 180 people and injuries to hundreds more. The coordinated explosions had sent shockwaves across the nation and were considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in Mumbai’s history.
The Supreme Court’s hearing on July 24 is expected to determine whether the acquittal will be stayed or reviewed, potentially reopening one of India’s most closely watched terror cases.
