Supreme Court Stays Acquittal in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case, Acquitted Men Remain Free

Supreme Court Stays Acquittal in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case, Acquitted Men Remain Free
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The Indian Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court’s recent acquittal of 12 men implicated in the 2006 Mumbai suburban train bombings, Muslim Mirror reported. The apex court’s decision, however, explicitly stated that the acquitted individuals, who had spent nearly 19 years in jail, should not be returned to custody.

The blasts, which occurred on July 11, 2006, saw a series of seven bombs explode on Mumbai’s crowded local trains during rush hour, killing 189 people and injuring over 800. In 2015, a special court convicted 12 individuals, primarily under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The Supreme Court’s stay came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra government, argued that certain findings by the High Court could adversely affect other pending MCOCA trials. The Supreme Court clarified that the High Court’s 671-page judgment, which cited a lack of evidence and procedural lapses, would not serve as a precedent in future cases. Despite the stay, the court underscored the principle of liberty, ensuring the released men retain their freedom. The ruling has drawn criticism from activists, while one acquitted man has called for a fresh reinvestigation.