Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has stayed the implementation of its judgment upholding the death sentences in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case for three months, giving the convicts time to approach the Supreme Court.
The relief was granted after counsel for the convicts requested time to challenge the High Court’s verdict before the apex court. With the stay in place, the convicts can file appeals against their sentences during the three-month period.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Gujarat High Court upheld the 2022 judgment of the Special Court (City Sessions Court), which had awarded the death penalty to 38 convicts and life imprisonment until natural death to 11 others in the serial blasts case.
56 People Killed in 21 Serial Blasts
On July 26, 2008, 21 serial bomb blasts rocked 20 locations across Ahmedabad, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200 others.
In 2022, the Special Court delivered one of the largest capital punishment verdicts in India’s judicial history by sentencing 38 convicts to death. The Gujarat government had approached the High Court seeking confirmation of the death sentences, while 48 convicts challenged their convictions and sentences before the High Court.
Background of the Case
On February 8, 2022, Special Court Judge A.R. Patel convicted 49 of the 78 accused while acquitting 28 others.
On February 18, 2022, the court pronounced the sentences. Thirty-eight convicts were awarded the death penalty under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while 11 convicts were sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of their natural lives. The court also imposed fines of Rs 2.85 lakh on 48 convicts and Rs 2.88 lakh on one convict.
Also Read:Ahmedabad Serial Blast Case : Gujarat High Court Upholds Death For 38, Life For 11
Additionally, the Special Court directed that compensation of Rs 1 lakh be paid to the families of those killed, Rs 50,000 to seriously injured victims and Rs 25,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.
With the Gujarat High Court staying the execution of its judgment for three months, the convicts are now expected to challenge the verdict before the Supreme Court.