On 11th July 2006, Mumbai felt the tremors of 11 train bombings in different areas of the city and its suburbs for straight 11 minutes that made the city of dreams that never stops into a nightmare that never left.
Today, on July 21,2025; exactly 19 years and 11 days after the incident took place in Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar Road, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar and Borivali saw the very accused being acquitted by the Bombay High Court 10 years after being announced guilty. Today the injustice has been served not just to the 209 victims and their families but to all the Mumbaikars.
What Happened On 11 July 2006?
The 2006 Mumbai train bombings led to 209 deaths and over 700 injuries, affecting many families and communities. Assailants used pressure cooker bombs with RDX and ammonium nitrate to target crowded train cars, resulting in devastation near key stations like Matunga Road and Bandra.
The wide range of victims highlighted terrorism's indiscriminate nature. Investigations by the Anti-Terrorism Squad faced hurdles due to the absence of responsibility claims but progressed with forensic findings.
By October 2006, 13 individuals linked to the banned SIMI and allegedly trained in Pakistan were arrested and charged.
The group Lashkar-e-Taiba was implicated, escalating India-Pakistan tensions. Convictions were made in September 2015, with five defendants sentenced to death, and the bombings' anniversary now serves as a memorial and a reminder of ongoing terrorism challenges.
'Lack Of Evidence'
On July 21, 2025, the Bombay High Court acquitted all twelve accused due to inadequate evidence, overturning previous convictions where five were sentenced to death and seven to life imprisonment. The court, led by Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak, emphasised the prosecution's failure to establish any crime.
Eyewitness testimonies and evidence were scrutinised, revealing that the acquitted individuals varied in profession and included some linked to the SIMI organisation. This ruling highlights significant concerns about the judicial process and evidentiary standards in high-profile cases.
Who Were The 12 Accused?
1. Kamal Ahmed Mohammad Vakil Ansari, 50, from Basopatti, Bihar, was sentenced to death for receiving weapons training in Pakistan and aiding terrorists linked to bombings in Mumbai.
2. Mohammad Faisal Attaur Rehman Sheikh, also 50, from Mira Road, led the Mumbai unit of Lashkar-e-Taiba, supported the train bombings, and was involved in conspiracies, including providing shelter and training to terrorists.
3. Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui, 42, was accused of harboring terrorists, gathering intel, and bomb-making; he was affiliated with SIMI, having abandoned engineering studies to join the group.
4. Naveed Hussain Khan Rashid, 44, employed at a call center, was suspected of assisting in bomb production and detonations in Bandra.
5. Asif Khan Bashir Khan, 52, allegedly sheltered terrorists and procured bomb-making materials; he had prior cases against him for similar activities.
6. Tanveer Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Ansari, 50, from Agripada, was convicted for attending terror camps in Pakistan and surveying bomb sites; he had past associations with SIMI.
2006 Mumbai Train Bomb Blast Accused | X (@divya_gandotra)
7. Mohammed Majid Mohammed Shafi, 46, was convicted for aiding the illegal entry of Pakistanis into India, allegedly running a hawala operation; his family denied any link to terrorism.
8. Shaikh Mohammed Ali Alam, 55, was charged with bomb assembly in his home and had been under police scrutiny due to his SIMI ties.
9. Mohammed Sajid Murgub Ansari, 47, was accused of procuring bomb timers and aiding in the bomb assembly while reportedly succumbing to extremist ideology.
10. Muzammil Ataur Rahman Shaikh, 40, a software engineer, was alleged to have trained in Pakistan and scouted train routes; he claimed innocence regarding the timing of the attacks.
11. Suhail Mehmood Shaikh, 55, had prior arms training in Pakistan and surveilled targets; he was closely monitored by authorities.
12. Zameer Ahmed Latifur Rehman Shaikh, 50, was suspected of training in Pakistan and participating in conspiracy meetings, with his business ventures emerging around that time.
