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The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Mumbai train blasts, an exoneration, the questions
The Bombay High Court's exoneration of all those convicted in the Mumbai train blast case of July 2006, has come as a rude shock for the families of the 189 people killed and around 800 people who were injured. The High Court has ripped apart the investigation, calling witnesses untrustworthy, deeming confessions gained as under duress, terming identification parades faulty and citing forensic evidence custody as not foolproof. It is a shocker because it was based on the same evidence that the trial court, in 2015, sentenced five of the accused to death and seven to life imprisonment. A long wait, lapses Who will answer for the inordinately long incarceration of the accused since 2006? The police, the prosecution, lawyers or the courts? Or all of them, that is the criminal justice system? It takes years for trials in courts. One of the defence lawyers said that the charge sheet filed by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had 20,000 pages, while much lesser numbers would suffice. It is like schoolchildren taking their examinations and filling pages with answers, hoping to impress the teacher with volume rather than quality. But the nine years taken by the Special Court and 10 years by the High Court for their decisions make the waiting period so agonising to the point of being meaningless for the accused. Nineteen years is a lifetime and almost like a sentence itself. Admitted there is tremendous pressure on investigating teams and the police chief in a terrorist or any high-profile case. The government gets unsettled with the Opposition's relentless attacks and demand to arrest the accused within minutes. It impacts investigation severely, pushing investigating officers into a corner, taking hasty decisions and bypassing protocol and procedures. But some of the issues referred to by the High Court raise concerns. Despite two confessions taken by two different deputy commissioners of police, they appear to be not similar but actually the same, with even the ellipsis matching. The witnesses became untrustworthy because, on cross-examination, they did not remain true to their original statements. Guess no one can after a lapse of so many years. It was surprising that the drawer of the sketches of the accused was not called as a witness. The test identification parade became suspect because the special executive officer who conducted it was not authorised to do so. Strange, because the magistrate who conducted it should have known whether he was the right person to undertake the TIP. The investigation, however, is truly flawed if the forensic evidence purity and chain of custody cannot be vouched for faithfully. It is troubling to hear that even in such critical cases there could be lapses on this count. The use of RTI filings Perhaps the biggest message from this trial is how the Right to Information (RTI) Act, known as the sunshine legislation, enacted 20 years ago, has stood the test of time, bringing transparency and accountability in government functioning. Hundreds of RTIs were filed by the accused and the defence lawyers to elicit information from the police, hospitals, and the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited to build up their case and cross-examine the prosecution witnesses and prove them wrong on various counts. In one instance, it was the name of a non-existent person in a hospital, named by the prosecution witness or the shift in which one person was working was proven wrong. It is the noblest use of RTI, perhaps, if it is used to defend oneself. This is a fundamental aspect of free trial and constitution under Article 20(3). Perhaps most embarrassing for the Mumbai police would have been the discovery of an Indian Mujahideen (IM) module, busted by the crime branch Mumbai in 2008, which accepted its role in the series of blasts in Ahmedabad, Delhi and Jaipur between 2005 to 2008. The gang led by Sadiq Israr Sheikh also claimed responsibility for the series of blasts in suburban trains on that day in Mumbai at around 6.30 p.m. The charge sheet in the July 11, 2006 Mumbai train blast case had already been filed by then, and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had announced it as the handiwork of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). In fact, in 2008, the top man of SIMI, Safdar Nagori, general secretary, was arrested along with his associates in March 2008 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and was awarded life term in 2017. But how does this make any sense to the families of the victims of 7/11 or to a common man? How does it matter whether the police, the prosecution or the criminal justice system failed him? What matters is that 19 years later, he has no closure. For the accused who were incarcerated for 19 years, it is already a sentence served without proven guilty. They seek justice too. Reform must begin There are too many questions unanswered. The only way to answer them is to put the criminal justice system on track on a war footing. Formatting a new criminal law by changing a few old laws here and there is not enough. Every element of the criminal justice system should be reformed. Nineteen years for a decision is meaningless because the punishment has already been given. A prosecution overlooking basic issues is meaningless and an investigation overlooking the simplest of things is not worth it. Reform of the police, the judiciary, the prosecution and prisons cannot wait — we are sitting on a time bomb of people's expectations and frustrations, which may explode anytime. Yashovardhan Azad is a former IPS officer who has served as Central Information Commissioner, Secretary, Security, Government of India and Special Director, Intelligence Bureau
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Parents and activists demand stricter school transport safety
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Parents and education activists in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are demanding stricter enforcement of school transportation safety rules following a recent incident where a 30-year-old bus driver was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The arrest came after a nine-year-old girl reported being subjected to misconduct by the driver. The incident occurred on July 30. The police said that the accused driver allegedly stopped the bus before the girl's home, where she was the last student to be dropped off. He then made inappropriate comments and asked her to go on an outing with him, instructing her not to tell her parents. The girl informed her parents the next day, and an offence was registered. The Mukundwadi police have since arrested the driver. In response, the parents and activists are calling for schools to strictly adhere to existing safety protocols, such as requiring a female attendant on buses transporting girls and conducting thorough police character verifications for all bus staff. Educational activist Prashant Sathe, who leads a parents' advocacy group, said the latest Pocso case exposed a glaring lapse in the safety of school transportation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kate Middleton Reportedly Taking Royal Split 'Badly' Crowdy Fan Undo "The school bus in question did not have a mandatory female attendant. It shows how schools badly neglect the laid-down norms," he said. Sathe added that the police must force the schools for the formation of a mandatory School Transport Committee. "Schools cannot disown the responsibility of forming such panels. It is necessary that such committees hold periodic meetings involving parents," he said.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu's Comprehensive Anti-Drug Campaign: A Model for India
A Amalraj Tamil Nadu, one of India's most socially and economically vibrant states, has not remained untouched by the growing menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. And the state govt has launched a campaign to combat this crisis with all seriousness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With a strategy encompassing prevention, detection, enforcement, inter-agency coordination, destruction of contraband, financial investigations and youth awareness programmes, Tamil Nadu's response stands out as a model for other states. At the heart of the anti-drug initiative lies the rigorous enforcement backed by data-driven action. The police have intensified operations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, targeting hotspots of drug activity and by adopting advanced surveillance methods. Illicit drugs here are mostly trafficked from other states. Between 2021 and 2025, Tamil Nadu police have seized more 107 tonnes of ganja, 321,000 tablets of pharmaceutical drugs and 1,223kg of other narcotics. The seizure of 5,250 ganja-infused chocolates in July, targeted at college students, is one example that reflects the evolving tactics of drug syndicates and the proactive response of law enforcement agencies. An essential component of any anti-narcotics strategy is the safe and lawful destruction of seized substances. The massive destruction drive during the past five years saw 61 tonnes of seized narcotics incinerated. A strength of the state's strategy is its collaborative model, with narco coordination committees at state and district levels bringing together police, education, health, food safety and drug regulation officials. Citizens too can report suspected drug activities via helpline 10581, WhatsApp 9498410581 or , adding a layer of community vigilance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A drug distribution management system also monitors lab reports and the movement of seized drugs. TN's long coastline makes it a strategic location for traffickers, prompting multi-tiered coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Customs, Indian Coast Guard and Navy. Coordination has also been established with Sri Lankan Anti Narcotic Police through NCB. To control the narcotic drugs trafficked into the state, regular coordination has been established with the anti-narcotic task forces of neighbouring states. These partnerships facilitate enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing and joint raids, particularly targeting border areas and drug smuggling routes. Drug inspectors, forest officials and NGOs are also engaged during field investigations, especially near educational institutions. Drugs are not just a social problem, they're a business, often tied to elaborate financial networks. Recognising this, Tamil Nadu has aggressively pursued financial investigations to dismantle the economic infrastructure supporting narcotics trade. Between 2021 and 2025, law enforcement froze 8,949 bank accounts and 45 properties valued at more than ₹21cr, directly tied to NDPS-related cases. The govt has also established a mission management unit, which serves as a nodal centre to monitor anti-drug measures as well as in awareness creation and community engagement. The state has also embraced digital innovation through tools such as the 'Drug free TN' mobile app, designed to securely record information from the public and take prompt action. Community outreach includes short films and social media campaigns featuring influential personalities and law enforcement officers. Organizations such as NCC, NSS, and student unions play a vital role too. While traditional narcotics such as ganja and heroin continue to pose challenges, Tamil Nadu is facing a new threat — the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs. Between 2023 and 2025, seizures of pharma-based narcotics rose from 39,910 to 1.42 lakh tablets. These included prescription drugs such as painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants and stimulants, often diverted from legal channels or procured through online platforms. Police have cracked the networks of prescription drug trafficking routes. Reports suggest that illegal distribution networks span neighbouring Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Dealers employ various methods including combining drugs with nitrous oxide and selling them in candy-like packaging, making detection harder and consumption more discreet. Law enforcement agencies have had to adapt to these emerging trends through constant vigilance and updated training modules. Authorities link drug abuse among youth to academic stress, mental health issues, unemployment and peer pressure, with some turning to stimulants or tranquilizers. Social media platforms are being used to sell narcotics disguised as candy or chocolates. Nightlife venues, hostels, and college campuses remain prime targets for peddlers. The proliferation of encrypted messaging apps has made tracking transactions more complex. Experts say more investment in counselling, mental health services and educational reform is needed, which is why the state's strategy goes beyond punitive action and ventures into rehabilitation. The state has inaugurated 25 de-addiction centres within govt hospitals to offer free treatment, counselling and vocational training. Kalangarai centres offer integrated support for addicts seeking reintegration into society. From frontline policing and financial crackdowns to community engagement and youth advocacy, TN has built a formidable framework to combat narcotics. (The writer is additional director general of police, crime, enforcement bureau CID) BETWEEN 2021-2025 SEIZED 107 tonnes of ganja 321,000 tablets of pharmaceutical drugs 1,223 kg of other narcotics July 2025: 5,250 ganja-infused chocolates targeted at college students INCINERATED 61 tonnes of seized narcotics FROZEN 8,949 bank accounts 45 properties, valued at more than ₹21cr
