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The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to an Indian Mujahideen operative in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case, in which 56 people were killed.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, A.G. Masih and Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while hearing an appeal filed by Ahmed Bawa, alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi, challenging the Gujarat High Court verdict affirming the death sentence imposed on him by the trial court.
The Bench issued notice to the Gujarat government and called for the trial court records, while directing that the death sentence not be executed in the meantime.
Appearing for Barelvi, his counsel contended that his conviction rested entirely on the allegation that he was part of the conspiracy behind the blasts. “I have been convicted totally on the basis of conspiracy,” the counsel submitted.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Gujarat government, however, opposed the plea, stressing the gravity of the case. “It is a serious case,” Mr. Mehta submitted.
On July 26, 2008, a series of 21 bomb blasts ripped through Ahmedabad within a span of 70 minutes, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200. Explosions also occurred at hospitals where victims of the attacks were being taken for treatment.
On July 7, the Gujarat High Court upheld the death sentences awarded to 38 convicts in the case and the life sentences imposed on 11 others.
While upholding the capital punishment, the High Court cited the scale of the casualties, the “humongous nature of conspiracy” and the intention “to create an atmosphere of widespread terror in the society”. It also took into account the roles and criminal antecedents of the convicts and their conduct during the trial.
“The manner in which the bomb blasts were executed speaks volumes about the mindset and the remorseless act of taking away the lives of innocent people,” the High Court had said.
Among those convicted are Safdar Nagori, a former leader of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), and his associates from several States, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
Seventy-eight people stood trial in the case, which covered 20 FIRs over the Ahmedabad blasts and another 15 relating to unexploded bombs recovered in Surat. The special court convicted 49 of them.
Published – October 01, 2026 01:14 pm IST
