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Mumbai, Maharashtra – Nearly two decades after the horrific 2006 Mumbai train blasts claimed over 180 lives and injured scores, a thunderous verdict from the Bombay High Court has not only overturned the convictions of all 12 accused but also ignited a fierce debate about justice, accountability, and the integrity of investigative agencies.
On Monday, the court's scathing pronouncement that the prosecution had "utterly failed" to prove its case and that it was "hard to believe they committed the crime" has sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi to demand answers from the Maharashtra government regarding the conduct of its Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
The July 11, 2006, bombings, which ripped through seven suburban trains on Mumbai's Western line, left an indelible scar on the city's psyche. The subsequent arrests and convictions of 12 individuals – five of whom were sentenced to death and seven to life imprisonment by a special court – were widely seen as a closure for the victims and their families.
However, the High Court's decision to dismantle the prosecution's case, citing the lack of evidentiary value in witness statements and alleged recoveries, has blown that perception wide open.
In a poignant post on 'X' (formerly Twitter), Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi articulated the profound human cost of the prolonged legal battle.
Twelve Muslim men were in jail for 18 years for a crime they didn’t commit. Their prime years are gone,
he wrote, highlighting the devastating impact on the lives of those wrongly incarcerated. He further underscored the lack of closure for the 180 families who lost loved ones and the many injured, before directly challenging the government:
Will the government take action against the Maharashtra ATS officers who investigated this case?
Owaisi's concerns extended beyond the immediate case, delving into broader allegations of systemic failures. He squarely laid blame on the parties in power in Maharashtra in 2006 for "disregarding complaints of torture" during the investigation.
The AIMIM chief lamented that "innocent people are often jailed," only to be acquitted years later, "left with no path to rebuild their lives." He pointed out the astonishing fact that the accused had not been granted a single day out of jail in the 17 years since their arrest.
According to Owaisi, the investigation into high-profile cases, especially those generating significant public outcry, often suffers from a fundamental flaw: a "presumption of guilt" by the police.
He further criticized the role of media in shaping public opinion, alleging that "police officers hold press conferences, and the way the media reports on the case often shapes a narrative that declares the accused guilty."
He concluded with a damning indictment, stating that "in many such terror cases, investigating agencies have failed us miserably."
The Bombay High Court's verdict not only offers a semblance of justice for the 12 acquitted individuals but also serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility placed on law enforcement and the judiciary.
As the echoes of this ruling reverberate, the calls for accountability and a thorough re-examination of past "terror" investigations are growing louder, demanding that the system not only punishes the guilty but also safeguards the innocent and ensures true justice for all.
The question now looms large: will the Maharashtra government respond to the demand for action against the ATS officers, and what steps will be taken to prevent such devastating miscarriages of justice in the future?