The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday upheld the sentences awarded by a special trial court in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case. The court confirmed the death penalty for 38 of the 49 convicted accused and upheld life imprisonment for the remaining 11.
The judgment was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justices A. Y. Kogje and Samir Dave while hearing appeals filed soon after the special trial court’s verdict in 2022.
Convicts Belong to Several States
Among the 38 convicts whose death sentences were confirmed, at least 13 are from Gujarat. Eight are from Uttar Pradesh, five each are from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, two each are from Kerala and Karnataka, and one is from Hyderabad.
The 2008 Ahmedabad Serial Blasts
On July 26, 2008, a series of bomb blasts rocked Ahmedabad. A total of 22 bombs exploded at different locations across the city, including the state government-run Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation-run LG Hospital, buses, parked bicycles, cars, and other public places.
The blasts killed 56 people and injured around 200 others. Out of 24 bombs that had been planted, one bomb each at Kalol and Naroda did not explode.
Trial Began Against 77 Accused
The criminal trial was conducted by a special court headed by Special Judge A. R. Patel. In February 2022, the court heard the case against 77 accused who were alleged to be associated with the Indian Mujahideen, believed to be an offshoot of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
According to the prosecution, the accused planned the serial blasts as revenge for the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat and with the intention of overthrowing a democratically elected government.
Court’s 2022 Verdict
After the trial, the special court convicted 49 accused. Of them, 38 were awarded the death penalty, while the remaining 11 were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court also acquitted 28 accused, giving them the benefit of the doubt. One of the accused in the case had turned approver.
Investigation Covered 35 Cases
The trial was based on 35 criminal cases registered after the bombings. These included 20 cases in Ahmedabad and 15 in Surat, where unexploded bombs similar to those used in the Ahmedabad attacks were recovered after the serial blasts.
Convicted Under Multiple Laws
The 49 convicts were found guilty under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
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