Brief
India's Supreme Court stays execution of Indian Mujahideen bomber
A three‑judge bench ordered a stay on the death sentence of Ahmed Bawa, citing a request for trial documents and issuing notice to Gujarat.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the execution of a death‑penalty sentence handed to an Indian Mujahideen operative involved in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts, according to TimesNowNews.
What happened
The bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, A G Masih and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Gujarat government after receiving a plea from Ahmed Bawa alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi, who challenged the Gujarat High Court’s upholding of his death sentence. The court also ordered the trial court records to be produced before it finalises any decision.
What the reports add
TimesNowNews notes that the Gujarat High Court, on July 7, had affirmed death sentences for 38 Indian Mujahideen operatives and life sentences for 11 others, citing the “humongous” conspiracy and the aim to spread terror. The article also recounts that on July 26, 2008, 21 bomb blasts struck Ahmedabad within about 70 minutes, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200, including attacks on hospitals – a first in India.
What was said
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, told the Supreme Court that the case was “serious”. The High Court had previously described the bombings as an “inhuman and dastardly act” and said the convicts showed no remorse.
How it came about
The 2008 Ahmedabad blasts prompted a special court in February 2022 to hand down death sentences to 38 militants and life terms to 11 others. The Gujarat government later sought confirmation of those sentences, leading to the High Court’s July 7 ruling. The current Supreme Court stay follows Bawa’s challenge to that judgment and the court’s request for the trial record files.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court stayed the execution of death penalty for Ahmed Bawa, an Indian Mujahideen operative. (timesnownews.com)
- The stay was ordered by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, A G Masih and Sandeep Mehta. (timesnownews.com)
- The Gujarat High Court had upheld death sentences for 38 operatives on July 7. (timesnownews.com)
- The 2008 Ahmedabad bombings killed 56 people and injured over 200. (timesnownews.com)
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta described the case as serious before the Supreme Court. (timesnownews.com)
Sources
- [1] timesnownews.com — originally reported as “2008 Ahmedabad Blasts Death Penalty: Why SC Stayed Execution Of Indian Mujahideen Operative”
