The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on July 24 the Maharashtra government’s appeal challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision to acquit all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria scheduled the hearing for Thursday after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, sought urgent listing of the matter citing the seriousness and urgency involved.

The appeal comes a day after the Bombay High Court acquitted the 12 individuals, observing that the prosecution had "utterly failed to prove the case" and that it was "hard to believe the accused committed the crime."