On 11 July, 2006, the bustling Mumbai local trains became the site of one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in India’s history. Seven bomb blasts rocked the city, killing 189 innocent lives and injuring over 800 people. But nearly 19 years later, a shocking development has stirred the nation: the Bombay High Court acquitted 12 people who were wrongly convicted for the bombings.
These men spent nearly two decades in prison, their lives shattered, their families torn apart. Yet, the question still lingers: Who was truly responsible for the deaths of 189 people in the 2006 Mumbai bombings?
The 12 men who were acquitted, including Mohammad Ali, a man whose life was completely changed by false accusations, have now been given back their freedom. But the pain of those lost years is not so easily erased.
They took away 19 years of our lives… Without committing any crime, we were imprisoned for 19 years. The families of those killed in the bombings and ours, all of us were wronged. Who killed those 187 people?Mohammad Ali
This acquittal is raising more questions than answers. How did these 12 men end up in jail for nearly two decades? What role did the police play in framing them? How were false witnesses brought to court, and how were confessions extracted under torture?
The case takes a darker turn when we look at the police tactics employed during the investigation. In one of the most disturbing revelations, it was discovered that the police had used “stock witnesses”, individuals who were repeatedly brought in to testify in different cases. One such witness, labeled “गवाह नंबर 74,” testified about seeing two men boarding a train with black bags. His testimony led to the conviction of several men. But an RTI revealed a shocking truth: this “witness” was lying. Investigators found that the locations and people he claimed to have met didn’t exist.
I had an electronics background, so it was easy for them to say I was capable of making a timer bomb. That’s why I was targeted. They showed my mobile repair institute’s equipment and electronic items as recovery.Sajid Ansari, one of the acquitted individuals
One of the most tragic aspects of this case is the story of Kamal Ahmed, who died in prison during the pandemic. Kamal, a laborer from Bihar, was accused of training with terrorists in Pakistan and bringing explosives into India. His son, Abdullah, was just six years old when his father was arrested.
At that age, children are just learning to walk properly. I don’t remember much, but the memories I have are filled with pain and suffering.Abdullah, Son of Kamal Ahmed
Despite being acquitted, these men are left with a stain on their names. Society, the media, and the police have labeled them as terrorists for almost two decades. Even today, many people still view them as criminals, despite the court’s verdict. So, the question remains: who is truly responsible for the 189 deaths, and who will be held accountable for the lives of these men, falsely accused of a crime they didn’t commit?
While the court’s verdict has been a victory for justice, the loss of 19 years of these men’s lives cannot be overlooked. The systemic flaws, wrongful accusations, and fabricated evidence are a stark reminder of how the pursuit of justice sometimes leads to the most horrendous injustices.
As the case continues, one thing is clear: the real killers of 189 innocent lives have yet to be brought to justice. The families of the victims deserve answers, and so do the families of the 12 men who were wrongfully imprisoned.