7/11 serial train blasts: HC asks MU if convict can take law exams online

The Bombay High Court has sought to know from the Mumbai University if it can permit a convict in the 711 serial train blasts case to take his law examinations online reported news agency PTIA division bench of Justices Makarand Karnik and Kamal Khata on Friday said owing to security reasons the situation may warrant to permit the candidate Mohammed Sajid Marghoob Ansari to appear for his exams online reported PTIOn July 11 2006 seven bomb blasts occurred in coaches of some local trains in Mumbai killing 189 persons and injuring 824 others reported PTIIn September 2015 a special court convicted Ansari and others in the 711 serial train blasts case reported PTIAnsari had sought permission to appear for the second semester law examinations held by the Siddharth Law College in south Mumbai from May 3 to May 15The court then permitted him to physically appear for the exams and directed the Nashik central prison authorities to take him to the college on the exam datesOn May 10 Ansar moved an application saying he could not appear for the papers held on May 3 and 9 reported PTIThe prosecution said despite genuine efforts made by the Nashik central prison authorities Ansari could not be taken to the college on time reported PTIThe bench directed the prison superintendent to file an affidavit by June 5 stating why there was a delayThe court also asked advocate Rui Rodrigues appearing for the Mumbai University if Ansari could be permitted to appear for the exams online to which he said there was no such facility reported PTIIn the peculiar facts as in the present case the situation may warrant having regard to the security concerns to permit the candidate to appear through the online mode the HC saidThe court directed the Mumbai University to clarify its stand for permitting such candidates to appear through the online mode reported PTIWe request the competent authority of Mumbai University to look into this aspect and after consulting with all concerned including the ATS Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad place its stand on record the court said reported PTIThe bench also asked the university to say if the two exams that Ansari missed owing to circumstances beyond his control could be rescheduled reported PTIThe high court posted the matter for further hearing on June 10In 2015 Ansari got permission from the court to pursue the law degree course reported PTIIn 2023 he got permission to appear for the first semester examsThe high court while granting permission to Ansari to appear for the second semester exams noted that he has undergone actual imprisonment for more than 17 years and during his incarceration pursued further education reported PTIThe prosecution opposed his plea claiming he was a high risk prisoner convicted on serious chargesWith inputs from PTI