Ajit Pawar’s Comments Stir Mumbai Blasts Case Debate

• Ajit Pawar: “Innocent trapped” in Mumbai blasts.
• SC froze acquittal, but accused released.
• Pawar’s comments contrast state appeal.
• HC cited coerced confessions, weak evidence.

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 24th July: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s recent statement on the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, asserting that “some innocent people were also trapped,” has sparked debate and raised eyebrows within political circles. His comments came shortly after the Supreme Court put a freeze on the Bombay High Court’s decision to acquit all 12 accused in the case.

While the Supreme Court did not bar the immediate release of the accused, it clarified that the High Court’s judgment would not serve as a precedent for cases filed under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

“We cannot say much about the Supreme Court’s order. Some innocent people were also trapped in this case… We believe no one should face injustice… But those who are guilty must be punished,” Mr. Pawar told reporters, adding, “We are not against anyone… But we do not support anyone either.”

Pawar’s remarks have drawn attention because the state government itself has challenged the Bombay High Court’s acquittal verdict in the Supreme Court. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had previously made the government’s stance clear, with Pawar affirming they would present strong legal arguments and address shortcomings in the High Court proceedings.

Political observers suggest that Pawar’s statements, however subtle, might be seen as a deviation from the state’s official position, especially significant ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. This isn’t the first instance of Pawar’s comments drawing scrutiny; he recently suggested non-Marathi speakers politely state they are “learning” Marathi to navigate language-related disputes, another remark that raised eyebrows.

Also Read: Man Gets Death for Adoptive Mother’s Murder

The Bombay High Court had overturned a special court’s 2015 judgment, which had sentenced five of the 12 accused to death and the remainder to life imprisonment. One death row accused passed away in 2021. The High Court’s decision to release the accused was based on its finding that the prosecution’s case relied on coerced confessions, unreliable witnesses, and material evidence “vulnerable to tampering,” rendering them inadmissible. Many of the accused, including a former call centre employee, a Unani medicine seller, and a software engineer, were allegedly linked to the banned organization SIMI and accused of receiving training in Pakistan.