2008 Jaipur Blasts Case: Supreme Court Judge Justice Sandeep Mehta Recuses From Hearing Appeals Against Acquittals

On May 13, 2008, several explosions took place in Jaipur, resulting in the death of 71 persons and injuries to 185 persons. The trial court found four persons guilty of the offence and awarded them the death penalty. However, in March last year, the Rajasthan High Court set aside the convictions, after pointing out glaring lapses in the investigation. The Court also declared that one of the accused persons was a juvenile at the time of the offence.

Aggrieved by the same, separate appeals were filed by the State and the victims against the acquittal judgment before the Top Court.

On May 17, 2023, the Court refused to pass an absolute stay on the High Court's order while hearing the State's appeal. The Apex Court ordered their release subject to certain conditions.

Recently, the Supreme Court (on December 08) dismissed a Special Leave Petition filed by the State of Rajasthan against its High Court's order declaring one of the convicts in the case to be a Juvenile on the date of occurrence.

Rajasthan High Court is the parent High Court of  Justice Mehta, who was elevated to the Supreme Court in November last year.

Case Title: THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN vs. SAIFURREHMAN ANSARI., Diary No.- 26084 - 2023

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