The Supreme Court on October 01 stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to Ahmed Bawa @ Abbu Abubakar Barelvi, one of the 38 convicts sentenced to capital punishment in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case. A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Augustine George Masih passed the interim order while hearing Barelvi’s challenge to the Gujarat High Court judgment upholding his conviction and death sentence.
Background
The blasts occurred in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008, when multiple explosions struck different parts of the city, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200. In February 2022, a special court convicted 49 accused, sentencing 38 to death and 11 to life imprisonment. The Gujarat High Court subsequently upheld the convictions and death sentences of all 38 death-row convicts in July 2026.
Barelvi thereafter approached the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court ruling. During Thursday’s hearing, his counsel argued that the conviction was based entirely on the allegation of conspiracy. The defence also sought a translated copy of the High Court judgment.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the State of Gujarat on Barelvi’s plea and called for the relevant trial court records. The Court then stayed execution of the death sentence pending further proceedings. Reports also record Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the State and describing the matter as serious.
The Gujarat High Court had earlier relied on the scale of the conspiracy, the casualties and other circumstances while confirming the capital punishment. It had observed:
“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 Supreme Court’s order, however, at this stage only stays the execution of Barelvi’s death sentence and seeks the State’s response to his challenge.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the State of Gujarat, called for the trial court records and stayed the execution of Ahmed Bawa @ Abbu Abubakar Barelvi’s death sentence.
