The High Court, in its ruling, stated that the prosecution had “utterly failed” to establish the case and that it was “hard to believe” the accused were responsible for the crime. The court found that witness testimonies and alleged recoveries lacked evidentiary value, leading to the overturning of all convictions
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi. File Pic
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday questioned whether the Maharashtra government would hold its Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) accountable after the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case.
The High Court, in its ruling, stated that the prosecution had “utterly failed” to establish the case and that it was “hard to believe” the accused were responsible for the crime. The court found that witness testimonies and alleged recoveries lacked evidentiary value, leading to the overturning of all convictions, according to news agency PTI.
The acquitted individuals had previously been found guilty by a special court; five were given the death penalty, while seven were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The 2006 blasts occurred on July 11, when seven bombs exploded in first-class coaches of Mumbai's Western Railway suburban trains, killing over 180 people and injuring several others.
Reacting to the verdict in a post on 'X', the Hyderabad MP wrote: "Twelve Muslim men were in jail for 18 years for a crime they didn't commit. Their prime years are gone. The 180 families who lost loved ones and the many injured there is no closure for them. Will the government take action against the Maharashtra ATS officers who investigated this case?"
He alleged that the parties in power in Maharashtra in 2006 were also responsible for "disregarding complaints of torture."
The AIMIM chief said, "innocent people are often jailed", and when acquitted years later, they are left with no path to rebuild their lives.
He further noted that the accused had not stepped out of jail even once in the 17 years since their arrest.
According to Owaisi, in high-profile cases that generate public outcry, the police tend to start investigations by "presuming guilt".
"In such cases, police officers hold press conferences, and the way the media reports on the case often shapes a narrative that declares the accused guilty," he claimed, reported news agency PTI.
"In many such terror cases, investigating agencies have failed us miserably," Owaisi alleged, reported PTI.
2006 Mumbai train blasts: HC acquits all 12 accused; says prosecution 'utterly failed' to prove case
Earlier on Monday, 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 had "utterly failed" to prove the case against them, reported news agency PTI.
The judgment comes 19 years after the terror attack that shook the city's Western Railway network, resulting in the loss of over 180 lives and leaving several others injured.
A special bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak said the evidence relied on by the prosecution was not conclusive to convict the accused persons, reported PTI.
(With PTI inputs)
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