Supreme Court Stays Bombay High Court Verdict in 7/11 Mumbai Train Blasts Case

 In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the recent Bombay High Court judgment that acquitted all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. However, the apex court clarified that the acquitted individuals will not be re-arrested at this stage.

Importantly, the Supreme Court emphasized that the High Court’s ruling shall not set a precedent for other cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Notices have been issued, and the Court will now examine the broader legal questions arising from the matter.

The stay follows an appeal filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, urged an urgent hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, noting, “It’s a serious matter from the government’s point of view.”

Earlier this week, the Bombay High Court overturned the 2009 trial court verdict that had sentenced five individuals (one of whom is now deceased) to death and seven others to life imprisonment for their alleged involvement in the coordinated serial bombings aboard Mumbai’s Western Railway suburban trains on July 11, 2006.

In its ruling, the division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak observed that the prosecution had “utterly failed” to substantiate the charges and remarked that it was “hard to believe the accused committed the crime.”

Reacting to the High Court’s acquittal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the verdict “shocking” and confirmed that the state would approach the Supreme Court to seek redress.

Further hearings in the matter will determine the legal and procedural implications of the High Court’s findings and their impact on future MCOCA prosecutions.