Supreme Court Halts Acquittal Verdict in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts

The Supreme Court halted the Bombay High Court's decision to acquit 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, seeking responses from the accused. The High Court had previously overturned their convictions, citing insufficient evidence by the prosecution. The case involved allegations of connections to banned terror outfits.

The Supreme Court of India has intervened in the controversial acquittal of 12 individuals in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts, temporarily staying the Bombay High Court's verdict that acquitted the accused due to what was described as insufficient evidence.

A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh has issued notices to all 12 accused, demanding their response to an appeal filed by the state government. This development comes after the Bombay High Court overturned earlier convictions that had sentenced five to death and seven to life imprisonment.

The trial and subsequent acquittal have been part of a broader debate over the investigation carried out by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, which claimed that the perpetrators were linked to the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

(With inputs from agencies.)