Sohrabuddin Case Takes a Fresh Turn.. Supreme Court Reopens Acquittal Challenge

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s May 7, 2026 decision that upheld the acquittal of all 22 accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. The petition was filed by Nayabuddin Sheikh, brother of Sohrabuddin. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mahadevan issued notice in the matter.

During the hearing, the bench said it wanted to examine statements of a few important witnesses rather than call for the entire case record. Justice Bagchi specifically noted that 92 prosecution witnesses had turned hostile, saying this was a matter that needed consideration while examining whether the trial had been fair and just. The case relates to the deaths of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and associate Tulsiram Prajapati in 2005-06. The Bombay High Court had earlier upheld the acquittal of the 22 accused, including 21 police personnel.