The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday upheld the special court’s ruling that sentenced 38 convicts to death and 11 others to life imprisonment in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case. It ordered the state government to pay higher compensation to the victims. The explosions killed 56 people and injured 246 others.
The Supreme Court ordered $10 thousand compensation to the families of the dead $5 lakh for those who suffered serious injuries, and $1 lakh for those who sustained minor injuries. Compensation must be paid by March 31, 2027.
The special court ordered in 2022 $One thousand compensation for the families of the dead $50,000 for serious injuries, and $25,000 for minor injuries.
A bench of Justice IY Kogi and Justice SJ Dave heard the appeals against the 7,015-page judgment of the special court and the state government’s appeal seeking confirmation of the death sentences of the 38 convicts.
A series of explosions rocked the city of Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008. Two days later, live bombs were recovered from Surat. More than 100 people were named as defendants, and 78 were put on trial.
In February 2022, the Special Court convicted 49 defendants and acquitted 28 others. Among those acquitted were Mubin Sheikh and Mansoor Peerbhoy, who were accused of conspiring to carry out the attacks and sending emails claiming responsibility for them. One of the accused was pardoned after he came to terms with it. Four other consenters who retracted their statements were convicted. This was the first time that an Indian court had imposed the death penalty on 38 convicts in a case.
The convicts, who include former Student Muslim Movement of India leader Safdar Nagori and his associates from 11 states, including Gujarat, were found guilty of their role in the plot behind 21 blasts during busy evening hours in a span of 70 minutes. This was the first time hospitals were also targeted. The prosecution said that the accused was working under the banner of the Indian Mujahideen.
Emails claiming responsibility for the attacks said they were carried out in retaliation for post-2002 violence in Gujarat.
The convicts were convicted under the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The prosecution questioned 1,163 witnesses during the trial. Nine judges heard the case, and the identities of 26 key witnesses were kept confidential for security reasons.
