12 Muslims acquitted after nearly 2 decades in Indian jail over rail bombing

Prosecution failed to prove men responsible for 2006 train bombings in Mumbai, court says in its ruling and orders their release

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – An Indian court on Monday acquitted 12 Muslim men who spent nearly 20 years in jail over deadly 2006 bombings in the western Mumbai city.

Seven bombs exploded on Mumbai’s crowded train service during rush hour in July 2006, killing 180 people and injuring hundreds of others.

In 2015, a special court in Mumbai convicted the men, finding them guilty of waging war against India, conspiracy, and murder. Five were sentenced to death, while the other seven received life imprisonment.

One of the accused died in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accused appealed the verdict to the High Court.

The Bombay High Court bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak on Monday declared that the prosecution “utterly failed” to “establish the offense,” calling it unsafe to conclude that the accused committed the crime.

In a 671-page order, the court directed that the appellants be immediately released from jail unless they are being held in connection with other cases.

Kaynak:

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