In a significant development for the long-pending 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case, the Supreme Court of India has issued a crucial directive. The apex court has instructed the Rajasthan High Court to evaluate the appeal concerning the tragic incident based purely on its legal merits, setting aside the issue of delay in its filing by the victims' side.
A Landmark Directive from the Supreme Court
The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma on December 11. This decision came in response to a petition filed by Syed Sarwar Chishty, a Khadim (caretaker) of the revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the original complainant in the case. The Supreme Court's directive was made publicly available on a recent Saturday, bringing fresh hope for the victims' families seeking justice.
Background of the 2007 Ajmer Blast Case
The appeal in question challenges the acquittal of seven individuals linked to the devastating blast that shook the nation. The explosion occurred on October 11, 2007, shortly after iftar prayers during the holy month of Ramadan at the historic Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The tragic incident claimed three lives and left several others injured.
The legal journey of this case has been complex. In 2017, a special court established by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) convicted two accused, Bhavesh Patel and Devendra Gupta, sentencing them to life imprisonment. However, the same court acquitted several others, including:
- Lokesh Sharma
- Chandrashekhar Leve
- Mukesh Vasani
- Harshad alias Munna
- Naba Kumar Sarkar alias Swami Aseemanand
- Mafat alias Mehul
- Bharat Mohanlal Rateshwar
The current appeal contests both the acquittal of these seven individuals and the sentencing of the two convicted.
Overcoming the Hurdle of Delay
Previously, the Rajasthan High Court had refused to condone a delay of over 90 days in filing the appeal, despite the case being pending for nearly five years. This procedural setback was highlighted by Shiv Mangal Sharma, the additional advocate general for the Rajasthan government.
Syed Sarwar Chishty challenged this decision before the Supreme Court. He argued that a rigid prohibition against condoning delays in appeals under the stringent NIA Act infringes upon the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court acknowledged this argument, issuing a notice on November 3, 2025, before delivering its final order.
The Path Forward and Next Steps
As a result of the Supreme Court's intervention, the Rajasthan High Court must now hear the substantive arguments of the appeal without being constrained by the delay. Shiv Mangal Sharma confirmed that the apex court has directed the High Court to consider the appeal purely on its merits.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a follow-up hearing on this matter for March 24, 2026, to deliberate further on the proceedings. This move is seen as a vital step towards ensuring that technicalities do not overshadow the pursuit of substantive justice in a case of such grave national importance.
