Bombay High Court has permitted a convict in the 7/11 blasts case to take his law exam from prison

On June 10, the Bombay High Court permitted Mohammed Sajid Marghoob Ansari, a convict in the 7/11 serial train blasts case, to take one paper of his second-semester law examination from Nashik central prison. Ansari had requested permission to attend the exams held by Siddharth Law College from May 3 to May 15. Initially, the court allowed him to appear physically and directed the Nashik central prison to ensure his presence at the college on exam dates.

On May 10, Ansari claimed he missed some papers due to the college's failure to produce him on time. The jail authorities confirmed this despite their efforts. The high court then asked Mumbai University to consider online exam options for Ansari.

On Monday, university advocate Rui Rodrigues informed the bench that Ansari would be allowed to take one remaining paper on June 12 from Nashik jail. Rodrigues mentioned that university officials, after consulting with prison and state anti-terrorism squad officials, agreed to send an invigilator to the jail on exam day.

The question paper would be emailed to the jail's general and superintendent's email addresses. Ansari would take the exam from 10.30 am to noon, after which the invigilator would seal and personally deliver the paper to Siddharth Law College's principal. The bench approved this arrangement.

The court also noted an affidavit by DIG (Prisons) suggesting a policy to conduct exams for inmates within jails to prevent similar issues in the future. The court saw this as a positive move by the prison department and suggested developing a mechanism for it. The matter will be heard further on July 1.

Additional public prosecutor Mankhuvar Deshmukh, representing the jail authorities, argued that taking inmates convicted of serious offenses outside the jail poses security risks. However, Rodrigues insisted this shouldn't set a precedent. The high court responded by questioning why it shouldn't be, noting that encouraging education, even for inmates, is beneficial.

Ansari was sentenced to life imprisonment in September 2015 for the 7/11 serial blasts. In 2015, he received permission to pursue a law degree and, in 2023, to take his first-semester exams. The prosecution opposed his plea, citing his high-risk status. On July 11, 2006, seven bombs exploded on Western Railway suburban trains, killing 189 commuters and injuring 824.