Maha approaches SC against acquittal in 7/11 blasts case

The state argued that the HC made a mistake reversing the 2015 verdict, and sought to prevent the release of the accused

- Utkarsh Anand

A day after the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 men convicted of planning and executing the July 11, 2006 serial bomb blasts on Mumbai's suburban rail network, including five on death row, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday rushed to the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the verdict and an urgent hearing of its appeal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai, requesting that the petition be heard without delay. The CJI agreed to list the case for a hearing on July 24, and remarked: “But we have been reading that some of them have already been released.”

Responding to the observation, Mehta acknowledged the development but added: “The state still wants the appeal to be heard expeditiously.” The special leave petition challenging the High Court judgment was filed earlier in the day.

The state’s legal challenge argues that the High Court erred in reversing the trial court’s judgment and seeks a stay on the acquittal to prevent further release of the accused.