Mumbai, July 21, 2025 – In a stunning turn of events, the Bombay High Court on Monday acquitted all 12 individuals who were previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, nearly two decades after the coordinated terror attack that claimed 189 lives and injured over 800 commuters.
A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Shyam Chandak overturned the 2015 verdict of a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court, which had sentenced five accused to death and the remaining seven to life imprisonment.
“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 court ruled, granting the benefit of doubt to the accused. The bench further directed that the convicts be released immediately if not wanted in any other case.
Court Raises Doubts on Evidence and Witness Testimony
The high court found serious lapses in the prosecution’s arguments, including discrepancies in witness testimonies and the inability to establish the type of explosive devices used. The judges noted that witness identifications made months after the incident were unreliable. The recovery of pressure cookers, arms, and maps were also found to be unconnected or inadequately linked to the blasts.
“The prosecution could not prove what kind of bombs were used. Even the explosives and recovered materials appear to be unrelated to the crime,” the judgment stated.
2006 Mumbai Blasts: A Grim Chapter in the City’s History
On the evening of July 11, 2006, seven bomb blasts occurred within 11 minutes on Mumbai’s suburban trains, specifically targeting first-class compartments during peak hours between 6:24 PM and 6:35 PM. Pressure cookers rigged with explosives were placed in trains originating from Churchgate. The explosions occurred at or near the stations of Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar Road, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar, and Borivali.
The coordinated attack, attributed to a sophisticated terrorist conspiracy, brought Mumbai to a standstill and prompted nationwide outrage and security overhauls.
Timeline of Legal Proceedings
In 2015, after a nearly nine-year trial, 12 men were convicted. Those sentenced to death included:
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Faisal Sheikh
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Asif Khan
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Kamal Ansari
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Ehtesham Siddiqui
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Naveed Khan
The other seven – Mohammed Sajid Ansari, Mohammed Ali, Dr Tanveer Ansari, Majid Shafi, Muzzammil Shaikh, Sohail Shaikh, and Zamir Shaikh – were awarded life imprisonment for conspiracy and aiding the attack.
With today’s acquittal, all 12 men are set to walk free.
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Image source: NDTV
