The acquittal of all the accused in the July 11, 2006 multiple train blasts in Mumbai is shocking. It is a wake-up call for all of us who have been working for a safe and secure environment in the country. That no innocent should be convicted is an often-repeated dictum, but that no terrorist or criminal should go scot-free has equal, if not more, significance. After all, who killed more than 180 innocent commuters of Mumbai and left more than 800 injured? How and why did the police and prosecution fail to get justice for the victims?

I was posted in the Crime Branch of Mumbai during those days. I remember the ghastly scenes and the utter panic with bodies strewn in railway compartments and across the tracks. The city was shaken to its core and memories of the 1993 explosions were revived. Since there were multiple blasts, various FIRs came to be registered. The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra had recently been formed and selected officers with a flair for investigation had been picked up.

The investigation was naturally entrusted to them and they were able to successfully prosecute 12 arrested persons in the special MCOCA court in 2015. It is to be noted that more than 10 accused in the serial blasts were identified but could not be arrested. They are still absconding and could have filled the gaps about the conspiracy and its execution, while five arrested were sentenced to death and seven were given........

© Indian Express