Supreme Court stays execution of death sentence of convict in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case

Vehicles burn after serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad. File | Photo Credit: PTI

The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of the death sentence handed down to an Indian Mujahideen operative for his role in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts that left 56 people dead.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh agreed to hear a plea filed by convict Mohammad Tanvir, who has challenged the Gujarat High Court's July 7 verdict.

On July 7, the high court upheld the death sentences of 38 operatives of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen in the serial-bomb-blasts case.

The High Court had cited the large number of casualties, the "humongous" nature of the conspiracy and the intention to spread widespread terror as key reasons for affirming the punishment.

On July 26, 2008, a series of 21 bomb blasts ripped through different areas of Ahmedabad in a span of 70 minutes, killing 56 people and leaving more than 200 injured.

"There shall be stay of execution of the death sentence awarded to the appellant (Tanvir)," the top court said in its October 9 order.

It said the original records of the case be summoned from the Trial Court and the High Court.