Key Points
- Bombay High Court acquits all 12 previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts
- Bench cites lack of concrete evidence and grants benefit of doubt
- Five had been sentenced to death, seven to life imprisonment by special TADA court
- Court orders immediate release, one accused had died during the COVID-19 pandemic
- State government’s petition to confirm death penalties rejected
- 189 people killed, over 827 injured in coordinated attacks on July 11, 2006
Mumbai: In a landmark judgment delivered today, the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 individuals convicted in the 2006 Mumbai local train bombings, citing insufficient evidence and major lacunae in the prosecution’s case. The decision marks a dramatic reversal of the verdict delivered by the special TADA court in 2015, which had sentenced five of the accused to death and seven others to life imprisonment for their alleged roles in orchestrating seven blasts across Mumbai’s suburban rail network.
Five-Month Hearing Results in Acquittal
A special bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice S. Chandak presided over daily hearings on the appeals filed by the convicted individuals, as well as petitions from the state government, over the past five months. The verdict comes after the conclusion of hearings in January 2025, with the judgment reserved until today’s pronouncement.
Bench Finds No Solid Proof Against Accused
The High Court’s judgment emphasized that none of the evidence presented in court established conclusive guilt, and all 12 individuals were acquitted based on the principle of benefit of doubt. The bench stated, “Whatever evidence was presented, there was no concrete fact in it, and on this basis all the accused have been acquitted giving the benefit of doubt.” The court also rejected the state government’s appeal for confirmation of death sentences.
Background: The 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts
On the evening of July 11, 2006, a series of coordinated bombings exploded on Mumbai’s suburban trains within an 11-minute window, resulting in 189 fatalities and injuring more than 827 commuters. The attacks targeted the heart of Mumbai’s lifeline, disrupting millions of daily lives and sending shockwaves across the country.
Previous Proceedings and Outcome
- November 2006: Initial charge sheets filed against the accused.
- 2015: Trial court convicts 12 individuals; 5 sentenced to death, 7 to life imprisonment.
- 2020s: Prolonged appeals process; one of the convicted dies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- July 2025: Bombay High Court acquits all remaining accused, citing lack of direct evidence and serious procedural issues.
The acquitted individuals had been incarcerated in Yerwada, Nashik, Amravati, and Nagpur prisons, and were present for the final proceedings via video conferencing as per court protocol.
What Happens Next?
With today’s historic decision, the High Court has ordered the immediate release of the 11 surviving accused who had been serving their sentences for nearly two decades. The acquittal not only brings closure to the lengthy appeals process but also prompts fresh scrutiny of the original investigation, raising questions about procedural lapses and the standards of evidence applied in terror cases.
Expert & Public Reactions
Legal experts have hailed the High Court’s detailed scrutiny of evidence, while victims’ families and advocacy groups have expressed a mix of relief and renewed demands for accountability and reform in investigative practices.
