New Delhi: The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of Ahmed Bawa alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi, one of the convicts sentenced to death in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case that killed 56 people and injured more than 200 others. (The New Indian Express)
A three judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, AG Masih and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Gujarat government after Barelvi challenged the Gujarat High Court judgment that upheld his conviction and death sentence. The Supreme Court also called for the records of the trial court while putting the execution on hold. (The New Indian Express)
The case relates to 21 explosions that struck different parts of Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008, within a span of around 70 minutes. More than 200 people were injured in the attacks. Explosions were also reported at hospitals where victims were being taken for treatment, adding another dimension to the deadly attack. (NDTV)
A special court in Gujarat convicted 49 accused in February 2022. It sentenced 38 convicts to death and awarded life imprisonment to 11 others. The Gujarat High Court subsequently upheld the convictions and death sentences of all 38 death row convicts in July 2026. (Live Law)
The High Court had cited the scale of the conspiracy, the number of casualties and the wider impact of the attacks while confirming the capital punishment. It also upheld the life sentences of 11 other convicts whose roles included involvement in training camps and providing logistical support.
The High Court further directed the Gujarat government to provide compensation of ₹10 lakh to families of those killed and ₹5 lakh to those who suffered grievous injuries.
The Supreme Court’s latest order concerns Barelvi’s challenge and does not constitute a final decision on his appeal. His execution will remain stayed while the case proceeds before the top court.
