In a major legal development, the Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear the Maharashtra government’s plea challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision to acquit all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. The high court, in a dramatic ruling on Monday, overturned previous convictions and raised serious questions over the quality and credibility of the prosecution’s evidence. Terming the state’s case as “weak and unconvincing,” the HC stated that it was difficult to believe the accused were the actual perpetrators of the deadly attacks that claimed over 180 lives.
On Tuesday, a bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, scheduled the matter for hearing on July 24. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra government, pressed for an urgent hearing citing the case’s significance and the gravity of the crime. The government had previously announced its intent to challenge the verdict, asserting that such a decision could potentially undermine national security and justice for the victims of one of India’s deadliest terror strikes.
The 7/11 Mumbai train bombings had rocked the nation, with seven coordinated blasts hitting suburban trains during peak hours. The acquittal of all 12 individuals — who had been behind bars for nearly two decades — has sparked mixed reactions. While civil rights activists call it a long-overdue correction, others, including political leaders and victims’ families, are demanding a fresh investigation and accountability from investigative agencies. The upcoming Supreme Court hearing is now expected to determine whether this landmark acquittal will be upheld or reversed.
