12 Convicted in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case; 1 Acquitted

Twelve out of thirteen accused in 2006 Mumbai train blasts case have been convicted.

Workers cut a damaged part of the local train compartment hit by the blast. (Photo: Reuters)

Nine years after the deadly serial blasts rocked Mumbai’s suburban trains in 2006, a special court in Mumbai has convicted twelve of those accused and acquitted one. Thirteen people had been accused.

The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Monday, September 14.

Special Judge YD Shinde, who has been conducting the trial in a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court, pronounced the verdict. The charges included conspiracy and waging war against the nation. The MCOCA court concluded its trail on August 19 last year.

Out of the 13 accused, one has been acquitted of all charges. Other 12 were found guilty of conspiracy and other charges which carry the penalty of death. The arguments on sentencing will be done on Monday. We wil seek the strictest punishment.
— Raja Thakare, Public Prosecutor

Blasts That Shook Mumbai Locals

A woman mourning the death of her husband near a board displaying the names of those killed in the blasts at a hospital after the blasts in Mumbai in 2006. (Photo: Reuters)

Here’s a recap of that horrific incident that left the nation shocked and the trial that followed:

• Seven RDX bombs had exploded in the first class coaches of Mumbai’s suburban trains on July 11, 2006, killing 188 people and injuring 829
• The blast occurred between Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari-Mahim Junction, Mira Road- Bhayander, Matunga- Mahim Junction and Borivali
• The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested the accused between July 20, 2006 and October 3, 2006, but ran into controversy in November the same year when the accused gave a written submission to court that their confessions were coerced
• In a trial that lasted for eight years, the prosecution examined 192 witnesses, including eight Indian Police Service (IPS) and five Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers as well as 18 doctors. The defence lawyers examined 51 witnesses and one person was called as a court witness
• Kamal Ahamed Ansari (37), Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (37), Mohd Faisal Shaikh (36), Ehtesham Siddiqui (30), Mohammad Majid Shafi (32), Shaikh Alam Shaikh (41), Mohd Sajid Ansari (34), Abdul Wahid Shaikh (34), Muzzammil Shaikh (27), Soheil Mehmood Shaikh (43), Zamir Ahmad Shaikh (36), Naveed Hussain Khan (30), Asif Khan (38) are the accused who were arrested by Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)
• Azam Chima, along with 14 others, is absconding in the case
• Examination of witnesses resumed after two years since the Supreme Court had stayed the trial in 2008
• Before the stay, the prosecution had already examined a police officer. The Supreme Court vacated the stay on April 23, 2010

For more on this story, also see
Photos: Remembering the 7/11 Mumbai Train Blasts
Reporter’s Diary: How the 7/11 Train Blasts Changed My Life