In a major development surrounding one of India’s deadliest terror attacks, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court’s verdict that had acquitted all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts case. The apex court, however, allowed the release of the accused from jail
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh, while hearing the Maharashtra government’s plea, issued notices to all the acquitted individuals and clarified that the High Court ruling shall not be treated as a legal precedent. The move comes just days after the Bombay High Court stunned the nation by declaring that the prosecution had failed to present a credible case and that the evidence did not convincingly prove the involvement of the accused.
High Court Verdict Sparks National Outrage
On Monday, a two-judge bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Shyam Chandak acquitted all 12 men who had been convicted by a special MCOCA court in 2015 for their alleged role in the July 11, 2006 Mumbai train blasts. The blasts, which ripped through seven first-class compartments of suburban trains within 11 minutes during peak hours, killed more than 180 people and injured over 800.
The High Court, in a scathing review of the trial, said that the prosecution “utterly failed” to establish the conspiracy and held that the materials presented did not support the charges. It added that the weapons, explosives, and maps recovered during the investigation seemed unrelated to the actual blasts. The court also pointed out that investigators had failed to even determine the nature of the explosives used.
This sweeping acquittal not only reversed the death penalties awarded to five of the accused but also invalidated the life sentences given to the remaining seven. The verdict triggered an immediate political and legal backlash, with Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling the acquittals “shocking” and promising to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Intervenes, But Releases Not Blocked
During Thursday’s hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra government, urged the Supreme Court to stay the High Court’s verdict. He did not, however, seek to keep the accused behind bars. “I am seeking stay, not to bring them back to jail. Certain findings of law will affect the MCOCA trial,” he said, indicating that the legal reasoning in the High Court judgment might undermine the credibility of future organized crime prosecutions.
Taking note of this, the Supreme Court agreed to put a stay on the High Court’s findings but allowed the release of the accused from prison, as no formal request was made to detain them. The court also explicitly stated that the High Court’s judgment will not be treated as a legal precedent.
Justice Sundresh, who reviewed the case files, remarked during the proceedings that some of the acquitted individuals are Pakistani nationals, which adds another layer of sensitivity to the matter. The court’s statement highlighted the national security dimension and underlined the stakes involved in ensuring a fair and thorough investigation and trial.
What Went Wrong With the Prosecution?
The 7/11 Mumbai train blasts case was initially considered a textbook example of India’s anti-terror mechanisms under laws like MCOCA. In 2015, the special court had sentenced five of the accused—Faisal Sheikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Sidduqui, and Naveed Khan—to death. The remaining seven—Mohammed Sajid Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Dr. Tanveer Ansari, Majid Shafi, Muzzammil Shaikh, Sohail Shaikh, and Zamir Shaikh—received life imprisonment for their alleged roles in planning and executing the blasts.
According to investigators, rigged pressure cookers filled with RDX and ammonium nitrate were planted in first-class compartments of suburban trains, targeting maximum casualties during Mumbai’s busy rush hour. The explosions occurred at seven locations: Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar Road, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar, and Borivali, bringing the financial capital to a halt.
However, during the High Court review, it emerged that the prosecution was unable to establish critical links between the accused and the crime. There were lapses in the chain of custody of materials recovered, contradictions in witness testimonies, and no forensic clarity on the actual type of bombs used. These gaps proved fatal to the case, leading the High Court to overturn the convictions.
For the families of the 7/11 victims, this is another cruel twist in a two-decade-long fight for justice. As political reactions mount and questions about national security accountability intensify, this case serves as a stark reminder that justice delayed—and diluted—can feel like justice denied. The coming months will be crucial, as the Supreme Court re-examines the entire case and determines whether the accused were wrongly imprisoned or if the system failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.