38 Out Of 49 Convicts Sentenced To Death In 2008 Ahmedabad Serial Bomb Blast Case
Mumbai: A special court designated for speedy trial of 2008 serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad sentenced 38 of the 49 convicts to death on Friday. The 11 others were sentenced to life imprisonment until death.
The court had on February 8 convicted 49 people for the serial blasts in which 56 people died and over 200 were injured. Special judge AR Patel had arrested 28 accused.
In the horrific terror attack on 26 July 2008 in Ahmedabad, around 20 bombs exploded within 70 minutes.
The prosecution concluded arguments on the quantum of punishment for the 49 convicts on February 14.
The court had convicted the 49 accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Damage to Public Property Act. The Sections involved Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 121 (a) (conspiracy to wage war or attempt to wage war against the nation) and 124 (a) (sedition) and Section 16(1)(a)(b) of the UAPA pertaining to terrorist acts.
The Gujarat Police had claimed that the terror attack was carried out by people affiliated with the Indian Mujahideen (IM), a fact of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The police had claimed that the serial blasts were carried out to avenge the 2002 Godhra riots.
After the serial blasts, the Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the terror attacks by sending emails to media outlets.
Notably, days after the serial blasts in Ahmedabad, the police had recovered more bombs from different parts of Surat.
Zahida Khatoon, whose son was deposed in a case related to the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts, said the family got it but it was getting delayed.
“We had full faith in the judiciary. But my son has lost 13 precious years (of his life). He got justice but it is delayed,” Khatun, a resident of Ranchi, said while speaking to PTI.
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