Bombay High Court permits 7/11 blasts case convict to give second semester LL.B exams

The bench allowed Ansari to appear for exams scheduled on May 9 and 15 at Siddharth Law College and noted that he will be taken from Nashik Central Prison to the examination venue without insisting on the escort charges.

It also directed that a separate hall and separate invigilator be provided to enable Ansari to give the exam and a cordon of security personnel around him during the exam.

A division bench of Justices Makarand S Karnik and Kamal R Khata passed an order in interim application by Ansari filed in pending appeal against conviction by special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) in 2015 which sentenced him to life imprisonment.

On July 11, 2006, a series of bombs ripped through seven western suburban coaches, killing 189 commuters and injuring 824.

The court noted that Ansari was granted permission in August, 2015 to take admission in three-year LL.B course and he is a bonafide student of Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai. He was also permitted to attend first semester exams earlier on certain terms and conditions.

The state Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) opposed the plea stating that the applicant is a high-risk prisoner and he can appear for the exam online. However, the bench noted that Mumbai University did not permit the same.

It directed the Nashik central jail authorities to provide adequate safeguards for safety and security of the applicant during the travel as well as examination period.

It posted further hearing to June 10 to pass directions in Ansari’s plea related to the next scheduled date for the exam, which is June 12.