Maharashtra Government Appeals Supreme Court Ruling on 2006 Mumbai Train Bombing
The Maharashtra government is appealing to the Supreme Court against the acquittal of 12 individuals in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings. This decision has raised serious questions about the investigation's credibility, as survivors express their deep disappointment after waiting nearly two decades for justice. The High Court's ruling has left many feeling that justice has been denied, with survivors like Chirag Chauhan voicing their anguish over the outcome. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, the implications for the victims and their families remain significant.
| Jul 22, 2025, 11:34 IST
Maharashtra Government Challenges Court Decision
The Maharashtra government has approached the Supreme Court to contest the Mumbai High Court's decision to acquit 12 individuals involved in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the state's petition regarding this matter on July 24.
Doubts Raised Over Investigation Credibility
The acquittal of the 12 accused in the July 11, 2006, train bombing case has reignited concerns about the integrity of the investigation. The Mumbai High Court dismissed the claims made by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) regarding the involvement of SIMI and Lashkar-e-Taiba. On that fateful day, seven explosions occurred across various locations in Mumbai, resulting in over 180 fatalities and numerous injuries. A police official revealed that in September 2008, the crime branch dismantled the network of the domestic terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen (IM) and arrested its alleged mastermind, Sadiq Sheikh, who reportedly traveled abroad for terrorist training. Initially, Sheikh admitted his involvement in the bombings but later could not substantiate his role during ATS interrogations. According to a police officer involved in the investigation, Sheikh may have falsely claimed responsibility to divert suspicion from other detainees. His statement was recorded under the MCOCA before a police deputy commissioner. However, his claims of participating in the bombings with his associates could not be verified, leading to his return to the Mumbai crime branch. At that time, Sheikh was placed in judicial custody. In 2013, defense attorneys labeled Sheikh a hostile witness in the train bombing case after he retracted his confession made before a magistrate. Sheikh, along with Arif Badruddin and Ansar Ahmed, was arrested in 2008 for their alleged roles in various bombings across India.
Survivors Express Disappointment Over Court Ruling
Following the High Court's decision to acquit all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, survivors of the attack have expressed profound disappointment and trauma. These individuals have been waiting for justice for 19 years. Chirag Chauhan, a survivor who relies on a wheelchair and works as a chartered accountant, voiced his dismay over the ruling, stating that 'justice has been murdered.' Just hours after the verdict, Chauhan took to social media platform 'X' to express his feelings, saying, 'Today, the law of the land has failed.' Nineteen years after the tragic bombings that claimed over 180 lives, the Mumbai High Court declared all 12 accused not guilty, citing the prosecution's complete failure to prove the case, making it hard to believe that the accused committed the crime. In a post on 'X', Chauhan lamented, 'Today is a very sad day for everyone. Justice has been murdered. No one has been punished for the irreparable loss and suffering endured by thousands of families.'