2006 Mumbai blasts: SC stays acquittal of 12

Utkarsh Anand

- letters@hindustantimescom

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay high court's judgment acquitting all 12 men in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, taking note of the Maharashtra government's concern that the ruling could adversely impact several pending trials under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

However, the top court clarified that it was not staying the release of the 12 accused, all of whom have already walked free following their acquittal earlier this week.

‘A bench of justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh also issued notices to all 12 men and sought their replies on the state’s appeal.

“We are inclined to hold that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent. Therefore, there will bea stay of the impugned judgment,” the court said in its brief order.