Convicts in Mumbai local blasts yet to file appeals

Mumbai: The convicts in Mumbai’s local train serial blasts case are yet to file an appeal against their conviction, and the state too hasn’t still filed any appeal against acquittal of one of the accused or to seek enhancement of their punishment.

Abdul Wahid Shaikh, the only convict who was acquitted from all charges, confirmed that none of the other convicts had filed any appeal so far. “The work on preparing of appeals is still on and hence, appeals could not be filed,” he said. Mr Shaikh also said that the state too had not filed any appeal in the high court in connection with this case.

Back in September 2015, the trial court awarded death sentence to five accused in the case while the other seven were sentenced to life imprisonment for the remainder of their lives. Only Shaikh was acquitted from all charges. Although the death sentence will not be implemented till the high court confirms the trial court’s decision, despite passage of two years after pronouncement of punishment, the convicts are taking a long time to prepare their appeals.

While passing judgment, the court had acquitted Dr Tanveer Ansari, Ehtesham Siddiqui, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Sajid, Muzzammil Shaikh, Suhail Shaikh, Zameer Ahmed, and Ashif Khan from section 124 A (sedition) of the IPC.