Hearing a convict’s challenge to the Gujarat High Court’s confirmation of his death sentence in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, the Supreme Court has stayed the execution of the sentence and issued notice to the State of Gujarat, after his counsel submitted that the conviction rests entirely on the allegation of conspiracy.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to Ahmed Bawa @ Abbu Abubakar Barelvi, one of the 38 convicts sentenced to death in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, while issuing notice to the State of Gujarat on his challenge to the High Court judgment upholding his conviction and sentence [Ahmed Bawa @ Abbu Abubakar Barelvi v. State of Gujarat and Others].
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Augustine George Masih passed the order on October 1, 2026 while hearing the appeal against the Gujarat High Court’s judgment, registered as Diary No. 58302 of 2026.
Submission on conspiracy
Appearing for Barelvi, his counsel submitted that the conviction was based entirely on the allegation of conspiracy. The Court, without recording any finding on the submission, issued notice to the State of Gujarat and stayed the execution of the death sentence in the meantime.
Background of the case
The Ahmedabad serial blasts took place on July 26, 2008, when a series of explosions struck different parts of the city, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200 others. In February 2022, a special court in Gujarat convicted 49 accused in the case, awarded the death penalty to 38 of them, sentenced the remaining 11 to life imprisonment and acquitted 28 other accused.
The convictions and sentences were challenged before the Gujarat High Court, which also dealt with the proceedings seeking confirmation of the death sentences. In July 2026, the High Court upheld the convictions and death sentences of all 38 convicts and confirmed the life sentences of the other 11.
Why the order matters
The stay means the death sentence of this convict cannot be carried out while his appeal against the High Court’s judgment is pending before the Supreme Court. The Court has not expressed any view on the merits of the conviction, and the order concerns only this appellant.
Case Title: Ahmed Bawa @ Abbu Abubakar Barelvi v. State of Gujarat and Others [Diary No. 58302 of 2026]
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Augustine George Masih, Supreme Court of India
Date of Order: October 1, 2026