The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday affirmed the special court's verdict sentencing 38 convicts to death and 11 others to life imprisonment in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, in which 56 people were killed and 246 sustained injuries.
The court also directed the Gujarat government to compensate the victims, ordering payment of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who died, Rs 5 lakh to those who suffered grievous injuries and Rs 1 lakh to victims with simple injuries. The compensation is to be disbursed by March 31, 2027.
The serial bomb blasts struck multiple locations across Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008. Two days later, unexploded bombs were recovered from Surat. Following the investigation, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch named more than 100 accused, with 78 eventually facing trial. On February 8, 2022, a special court convicted 49 of them while acquitting 28 others.
Those acquitted included Mubin Shaikh and Mansur Pirbhoy, who had been accused of conspiring in the attacks and sending emails claiming responsibility for the bombings. The trial court had granted a pardon to one approver, while four others who later retracted their statements were convicted.
The 2008 attacks marked the first instance in which hospitals were targeted in a terror strike. Emails allegedly sent by the accused claimed the bombings were carried out in retaliation for the 2002 post-Godhra violence in Gujarat.
A division bench comprising Justice AY Kogje and Justice SJ Dave heard appeals challenging the special court's 7,015-page judgment delivered on February 8, 2022. The High Court also considered the Gujarat government's plea seeking confirmation of the death sentences awarded to the 38 convicts.
The trial was conducted after clubbing together 35 separate cases, including 20 FIRs registered in Ahmedabad in connection with the explosions and 15 FIRs in Surat, where the planted bombs failed to detonate. Those found guilty were convicted under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Indian Penal Code, the Explosive Substances Act and other applicable laws.
Among the 49 convicted were former leader of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Safdar Nagori, along with his associates from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and several other states. According to the police, the accused had formed a new outfit known as the Indian Mujahideen (IM).
The trial court held all 49 guilty under the IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. They were convicted on charges including murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, attempting to wage war against the nation, sedition, participation in unlawful activities and terrorist activities.
During the proceedings, the prosecution examined 1,163 witnesses before nine different judges over the course of the lengthy trial. The identities of 26 key witnesses were kept confidential to ensure their safety.
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