Maharashtra ATS Moves Supreme Court Against Acquittals in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court’s recent decision to acquit all accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, reigniting legal debate over one of the country’s deadliest terror attacks in recent memory.

The appeal was registered just a day after the High Court stunned many by overturning convictions that had led to life sentences and death penalties. The verdict sparked widespread public reaction, raising questions about the original investigation, evidence, and the process that led to the convictions nearly a decade ago.

The Supreme Court, led by a bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai, has taken urgent cognisance of the matter and is expected to begin hearing the case on Thursday, July 24. The ATS has argued that the High Court’s ruling may have overlooked key evidence presented during the trial and that the decision could set a concerning precedent for future terror-related cases.

The 2006 serial blasts, which shook Mumbai on the evening of July 11, 2006, involved coordinated explosions in seven local train coaches within a span of 11 minutes during peak hours. The attacks killed 189 people and injured more than 800, sending shockwaves across the nation and prompting one of the largest terror investigations in India’s history.

Over the years, the case saw the conviction of 12 individuals under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. Several of the accused were sentenced to death or life imprisonment by a special court in 2015. However, on July 21, 2025, the Bombay High Court acquitted all the accused, citing lack of conclusive evidence and procedural lapses.