Supreme Court Stays Death Penalty in 2002 Akshardham Temple Terror Attack Case

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the death penalty awarded to two convicts in the 2002 Akshardham temple terror attack case, issuing a notice to the Gujarat government on their plea challenging their conviction and sentence. The convicts, Adambhai Sulemanbhai Ajmeri and Abdul Kayum, were given death penalty under POTA and Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The court also issued a notice to the state on the petition of the other two convicts, Mohd Hanif Shaikh and Abdullamiya Yasinmiya Kadri, who have challenged their convictions and sentence. The petitioners drew parallels between investigations into the alleged fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin and the Akshardham terror attack, alleging that the Gujarat government was conducting investigations in a partial and unjust manner.

Key Takeaways:

• The Supreme Court stayed the death penalty awarded to two convicts in the 2002 Akshardham temple terror attack case, pending a review of their conviction and sentence.
• The convicts, Adambhai Sulemanbhai Ajmeri and Abdul Kayum, were given death penalty under POTA and Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
• The court issued a notice to the Gujarat government on the petition of the two convicts, challenging their conviction and sentence.
• The petitioners drew parallels between investigations into the alleged fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin and the Akshardham terror attack, alleging that the Gujarat government was conducting investigations in a partial and unjust manner.
• The appeal by the four convicts alleged that they were arrested following investigations conducted by then deputy superintendent of police D G Vanzara, who is facing trial for the fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin.
• The convicts have been crying hoarse for an independent probe, especially by the CBI, but neither the trial court nor the HC paid any attention to it.
• The Akshardham attack on September 25, 2002, killed 33 devotees and tourists and injured another 86, with the two fidayeen being killed by NSG commandos.

Statistics:

• 33 devotees and tourists were killed in the Akshardham attack on September 25, 2002.
• 86 people were injured in the attack.
• The two fidayeen were killed by NSG commandos.
• The convicts, Adambhai Sulemanbhai Ajmeri and Abdul Kayum, were given death penalty.
• Mohd Hanif Shaikh was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Abdullamiya Yasinmiya Kadri was sentenced to 10 years.

Sources:

• Times of India
• Supreme Court of India