SHAKEEL AHMED Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The city of Mumbai had a torrid time from 6/12/1992 till 12/3/1993. Mumbai witnessed perhaps the worst mob frenzy, violence, communal tension and riots from 6/12/1992 to 10/12/1992 and from 6/1/1993 to 20/1/1993. There were many incidents of arson and violence resulting in a large-scale loss of lives and damage to properties. The Police resorted to firing at many places. Ultimately, Army was called to aid the civil administration. Thereafter, the situation was gradually brought under control. When the citizens of Mumbai were about to breathe a sigh of relief, there were serial bomb blasts in various parts of the city on 12/3/1993. In December 1992 and January 1993, there were about 900 deaths, 168 persons were reported missing and about 2036 persons suffered injuries. As a result of the serial bomb blasts of 12/3/1993, there were 257 deaths and 1400 people were injured.

(2.) The Government of Maharashtra by a notification dtd. 25/1/1993 constituted a Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (for short, the 1952 Act) headed by Honble Shri Justice B.N. Srikrishna, the then sitting Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, who subsequently retired as a Judge of this Court. The Terms of Reference of the Commission were as under:

(3.) Subsequently, the Terms of Reference of the Commission were expanded by the State Government and the following additional terms were incorporated: