A Special Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Friday convicted 12 accused in connection with the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts. One accused was acquitted
A Special Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Friday convicted 12 accused in connection with the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts.
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Delivering the verdict, the Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) Judge Yatin D Shinde pronounced 12 accused as guilty while acquitting one accused Abdul Wahid Shaikh (34) in the case.
The 12 accused who were convicted today are: Kamal Ahamed Ansari (37), Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (37), Mohd Faisal Shaikh (36), Ehtesham Siddiqui (30), Mohammad Majid Shafi (32), Shaikh Alam Shaikh (41), Mohd Sajid Ansari (34), Muzzammil Shaikh (27), Soheil Mehmood Shaikh (43), Zamir Ahmad Shaikh (36), Naveed Hussain Khan (30) and Asif Khan (38). However, Azam Chima, along with 14 others, are still absconding in the case.
Arguments for the quantum of sentence are likely to begin on Monday.
In a trial that lasted for eight years, the prosecution examined 192 witnesses, including eight IPS and five IAS officers as well as 18 doctors.
According to reports, Special MCOCA Judge Yatin Shinde had concluded the trial on August 19 last year. The defence lawyers examined 51 witnesses and one person was called as a court witness.
188 people had died and 829 people were injured after seven RDX bombs had exploded in the first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11, 2006.
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Police and onlookers stand around a mangled commuter train's wagon following a series of blasts which targetted India's financial capital commuters' network in Mumbai, 11 July 2006. File pic/ AFP
The blast had occurred between Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari-Mahim Junction, Mira Road- Bhayander, Matunga-Mahim Junction and Borivali.
Initially, the investigation was started by police from respective jurisdictions, but later was clubbed and was handed over to the Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS).
According to an investigation officer, while planting bombs in trains, the accused started their journey from Churchgate station and after placing seven bombs in trains, except one, all got off the trains before Dadar. The blasts began from Matunga.
The trial commenced in June 2007, and the prosecution witnesses included commuters who were on the ill-fated trains. The prosecution, in its final arguments, reiterated that pressure cookers were used to pack bombs.
(With PTI/ ANI inputs)
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