2008 Ahmedabad Blasts: Supreme Court Pauses Death Sentence of Ahmed Bawa
The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of Ahmed Bawa's death sentence in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case and sought records from the trial court.
The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to Ahmed Bawa alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, AG Masih and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Gujarat government and sought the trial court records while hearing Bawa's plea challenging the Gujarat High Court's decision.
The case relates to a series of 21 blasts across Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008. The explosions, carried out within around 70 minutes, killed 56 people and injured more than 200. Blasts also occurred at hospitals where victims were being treated.
In July, the Gujarat High Court upheld death sentences awarded to 38 convicts linked to the Indian Mujahideen. It also confirmed life imprisonment for 11 others convicted of roles including participation in terror training camps, arranging logistics and providing support to the conspiracy.
The High Court had cited the scale of the conspiracy, loss of life and the objective of creating widespread terror while upholding the capital punishment. The sentences had originally been handed down by a special court in February 2022.
The prosecution case involved 78 accused after multiple cases concerning the Ahmedabad blasts and unexploded bombs recovered in Surat were combined. Forty-nine people were ultimately convicted.
The Supreme Court's latest order pauses Bawa's execution while his challenge is examined. It does not overturn the conviction or death sentence at this stage. The Gujarat government has been asked to respond to the petition, with further proceedings expected after the court examines the records.
