Nearly two decades after a series of coordinated blasts rocked Mumbai’s suburban trains—killing 189 and injuring over 800—the Bombay High Court has taken a major decision. It has acquitted all 12 individuals earlier convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blast attack. Among them, five were on death row. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak found serious lapses in the investigation and trial, citing unreliable witnesses and questionable evidence.
Bombay HC Acquits 2006 Mumbai Train Blast Convicts
The court noted that confessional statements appeared to be obtained under duress, and identification procedures lacked credibility. One key witness had testified in unrelated cases, raising concerns about reliability. The judges also highlighted procedural flaws, including unexamined witnesses and improperly handled evidence. The original 2015 MCOCA court verdict—which sentenced five to death and seven to life—was overturned. Of the 12, one had died in custody in 2021 due to COVID-19. The ruling is being seen by legal experts as a critical moment for judicial accountability in terror cases.
