Bombay HC asks varsity to reschedule exam for 7/11 convict

Mohammed Sajid Marghoob Ansari, a convict in the 7/11 Mumbai serial blasts case, has approached the Bombay High Court to reappear for his secondsemester LLB exams.

A Bench of Justices M.S. Karnik and Kamal Khata has asked the University of Mumbai to consider Ansari’s request to reschedule two exams and conduct them online as he falls in the ‘high-risk prisoner category’.

Ansari could not appear for the exams on May 3 and 9 due to “logistical dificulties from the prison’s end”. His counsel Pritha Dave on May 10 had filed the plea in the High Court raising these concerns.

The Bench directed the prison superintendent to submit an afidavit by June 5, explaining the reasons for the delay and if the exams could be rescheduled for the convict to attend

The court also asked advocate Rui Rodrigues, representing University of Mumbai, whether the convict can appear for the exams online. However, the advocate said that a possibility of conducting an online exam is minimal.

On this the judges bench said that the university must come up with a solution to allow the aspiring law graduate to sit for the examination online at least.

“We request the competent authority of Mumbai University to look into this aspect and after consulting with all concerned, including the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, place its stand on record,” said the court.

The High Court said it is expecting the University of Mumbai to respond to its queries and has scheduled the next hearing on June 10.

In September 2015, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court sentenced Ansari, along with other convicts, to life imprisonment.

He is accused of providing material and logistical support for making bombs that led to seven bomb blasts in Mumbai local trains on July 11, 2006, killing many and leaving several others disabled for life.