• Source:JND
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Mumbai News: The Bombay High Court on Monday acquitted all 12 people earlier convicted in the 2006 Mumbai serial train bombings case, nearly 19 years after the deadly blasts that killed 189 people and injured over 800. The decision has triggered strong reactions, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling the verdict “shocking” and confirming that the state government will challenge it in the Supreme Court.

In 2015, a special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) had sentenced five of the accused to death and seven others to life imprisonment. However, a special High Court bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Shyam Chandak overturned the convictions, stating that the prosecution had "utterly failed" to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

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The attacks took place on July 11, 2006, when seven bomb explosions occurred within just 11 minutes during the evening rush hour in Mumbai's local trains. Explosives hidden inside pressure cookers were placed in first-class compartments of trains originating from Churchgate. The blasts happened near stations including Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar Road, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar and Borivali, causing massive casualties and panic.

The prosecution had earlier claimed that the 12 men were associated with the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and were responsible for planting the bombs. Those sentenced to death included Kamal Ansari (Bihar), Mohammad Faisal Shaikh (Mumbai), Ehtesham Siddiqui (Thane), Naveed Khan (Secunderabad), and Asif Khan (Jalgaon). The remaining seven, Mohammed Sajid Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Dr Tanveer Ansari, Majid Shafi, Muzzammil Shaikh, Sohail Shaikh, and Zamir Shaikh, were given life imprisonment for being part of the conspiracy.

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The trial court's decision was sent to the High Court for confirmation, as required by law in death penalty cases. While the Maharashtra government sought the confirmation, the convicted individuals also appealed against their sentences. One of the accused died in 2021 due to COVID-19.

In July 2024, a special bench led by Justice Kilor was formed to hear the case. After nearly six months of hearings, the bench reserved its verdict five months ago and announced its ruling on Monday, acquitting all the accused.