India’s Supreme Court halts execution of Ahmedabad bombings convict

India’s Supreme Court has stayed the execution of a man sentenced to death for his role in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bombings, while it considers his challenge to the sentence. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, A.G. Masih and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Gujarat government on a petition by Ahmed Bawa, also known as Abbu Abubakar Barelvi.

The court also called for the trial court records. Bawa was identified in the supplied material as an operative of the Indian Mujahideen. His death sentence had been imposed by a trial court and upheld by the Gujarat High Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, described the case as serious. The bombings on July 26, 2008, involved 21 explosions across Ahmedabad over about 70 minutes. The attacks killed 56 people and injured more than 200.

Explosions also occurred at hospitals where victims were being treated. In July, the Gujarat High Court upheld death sentences for 38 Indian Mujahideen operatives and life sentences for 11 others. It cited the number of casualties, the scale of the conspiracy and the stated intention to spread terror when confirming the capital sentences.

The court said the prosecution had established that the 11 prisoners serving life sentences had taken part in terror training and provided logistical support. Their alleged roles included procuring scooters, plastic containers and clocks, and arranging shelter for other accused. The case involved 78 people tried after 35 police cases were combined, including 20 relating to the Ahmedabad explosions and 15 concerning unexploded bombs recovered in Surat.

Forty-nine people were convicted by the Special Court in February 2022. The High Court also directed Gujarat to pay compensation of ₹10 lakh to families of those killed and ₹5 lakh to grievously injured victims before March 30, 2027. The Supreme Court’s stay concerns Bawa’s execution while his petition proceeds.