HC sets aside conviction of 12 for Mumbai train blasts that killed 187

The Bombay High Court on Monday quashed the conviction of 12 persons in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case and acquitted them, noting the prosecution “utterly failed” to prove the case. The judgment comes 19 years after the terror attack that shook the city’s Western Railway network, resulting in the loss of 187 lives and leaving 824 injured. A special bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak said the evidence relied upon by the prosecution was not conclusive to convict the accused persons. “The prosecution has utterly failed to prove the case against the accused. It is hard to believe that the accused committed the crime. Hence their conviction is quashed and set aside,” the HC said.

The bench said it refuses to confirm the death penalty imposed on five of the convicts and also the life imprisonment on the remaining seven, and acquitted them. The HC said the accused shall be released from jail forthwith if not wanted in any other case.

A special court in 2015 convicted the 12 persons, five of whom were sentenced to death and the remaining seven were given life imprisonment. The convicts were produced before the court via video conference from various jails across the state on Monday.

7 explosions & lengthy court battle

July 11, 2006: Seven blasts rock 7 Mumbai trains in 7 mins, killing 187

July-Aug: Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrests 13 suspects

Nov 30: Chargesheet filed against 30, including 13 Pak nationals

Sept 11, 2015: Special court convicts 12 of the 13 accused, acquits one

Sept 30: Court imposes death penalty on five, gives life term to seven

Oct: All 12 move the Bombay HC against conviction, sentences

June 2024: One of the convicts moves HC seeking speedy hearing

Jan 31, 2025: Special Bench of Bombay HC completes hearing

July 21: HC acquits all 12 persons

India