AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday, June 20, 2026, sharply criticised the Modi government for not allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file appeals in several high-profile acquittal cases, including the Babri Masjid demolition criminal case, the Mecca Masjid blast case, and the Ajmer blast case — all of which resulted in no accused being found guilty.

Context

Owaisi called the government's inaction 'very shameful and grave injustice,' pointing out that people died in large numbers in these incidents yet no convictions followed. He also alleged that when the government does choose to appeal in cases, it does so 'not for justice but for political reasons,' suggesting a selective approach to pursuing legal remedies in communal violence cases.

The Hyderabad MP also referenced the deaths of Pawan Raje and driver Samad Kazi in 2006, and flagged that the Osmanabad MP is caught in what he described as a 'Catch 22 situation,' expressing hope that the MP receives legal justice.

Policy Backdrop

In September 2020, a special CBI court in Lucknow acquitted all 32 accused — including senior BJP leaders — in the Babri Masjid demolition conspiracy case stemming from the events of December 6, 1992. The court found the prosecution had not proved the charges of criminal conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt.

In 2018–2019, special courts acquitted the accused in both the Mecca Masjid blast case (the 2007 Hyderabad explosion that killed several worshippers) and the Ajmer Dargah blast case (2007). Both cases had been investigated by central agencies and were linked to alleged extremist networks. In each instance, the acquittals drew criticism from victims' families and civil society groups who questioned the rigour of the prosecution.

The decision whether to appeal an acquittal rests with the prosecuting agency and, in CBI cases, requires the sanction of the central government. Critics have long argued that the government's choices on which acquittals to challenge reveal political priorities rather than a uniform commitment to justice.

Stakeholders and Impact

The families of blast victims in Hyderabad and Ajmer, as well as Muslim community organisations that have campaigned for accountability in the Babri Masjid demolition case, are the most directly affected by the government's decision not to appeal. For these groups, the absence of a challenge to the acquittals effectively closes the criminal chapter of cases that carry deep historical and communal significance.

The reference to the Osmanabad MP adds a contemporary political dimension, suggesting that the broader pattern of selective legal action has immediate consequences for elected representatives navigating legal and political pressures simultaneously.

What's Next

Owaisi's remarks are likely to intensify pressure on the government ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, where opposition members could raise the issue through questions or adjournment motions. Legal advocates and victims' families may also explore independent petitions before the Supreme Court or relevant High Courts to challenge the government's decision not to direct the CBI to appeal, though the legal threshold for such challenges is high. The political debate over selective justice in communal violence cases shows no sign of abating.