2006 train blasts: Maharashtra approaches top court over Bombay High Courts acquittal of convicts

PTC News Desk: The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision of Bombay High Court in which it acquitted all the 12 convicts including five on death row in 2006 Mumbai train blast that killed 186 people. 

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta representing Maharashtra ATS sought an urgent hearing citing the urgency of the matter and mentioned the matter before a bench led by the Chief Justice of India for urgent listing. 

CJI agreed to list the matter on Thursday. 

"It is a serious matter..SLP is ready. Please list it tomorrow.. There is urgency," SG submitted. CJI BR Gavai said that he had read in the papers that eight accused have already been released from prison following the High Court's judgment. "Still there are some important issues to be looked at," SG replied.

Earlier on Monday, the Bombay High Court had set aside the trial court's 2009 verdict that had had awarded the death penalty to five convicts and life imprisonment to seven others booked for conspiring and executing the bombs on Mumbai's Western Railway local line on July 11, 2006.

The High Court also pointed out the allegations of torture by Maharashtra ATTS officials and observed that the investigators were under immense pressure to deliver the results following the incident. 

While convicts Kamal Ansari, Mohammad Faisal Ataur Rahman Shaikh, Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui, Naveed Hussain Khan and Asif Khan were handed over death penalty for planting the bombs, the other set of convicts - Tanveer Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Ansari, Mohammed Majid Mohammed Shafi, Shaikh Mohammed Ali Alam Shaikh, Mohammed Sajid Margub Ansari, Muzammil Ataur Rahman Shaikh, Suhail Mehmood Shaikh and Zameer Ahmed Latiur Rehman Shaikh, were granted life term.