
India court acquits 12 in deadly 2006 train blasts case
The men were convicted in 2015 of murder, conspiracy, and waging war against the country over the attacks during the evening rush hour of Jul 11, 2006 that also injured more than 800 people.
Five were sentenced to death, while the other seven were given life imprisonment.
But, 10 years later, the Bombay High Court set aside a lower court's verdict and acquitted the 12 men.
Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak said in their judgement, the prosecution had "utterly failed to establish the offence beyond the reasonable doubt against the accused on each count".
The men were ordered to be released from jail "if they are not required to be detained in any other case".
The prosecution can appeal against the order in the Supreme Court.
A total of seven blasts ripped through the trains after the bombs, packed into pressure cookers, were placed in bags and hidden under newspapers and umbrellas.
Prosecutors said the devices were assembled in Mumbai and deliberately placed in first-class coaches to target the city's wealthy Gujarati community.
They said the bombings were intended as revenge for the riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002, which left some 2,000 people dead, most of them Muslims.
Prosecutors accused Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba of being behind the attacks, although a little-known outfit called the Lashkar-e-Qahhar later claimed responsibility.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pakistan says it's close to US trade deal, Washington gives no timeline
WASHINGTON - Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the United States and Pakistan were "very close" to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the U.S. after Dar met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline. "I think we are very close to finalizing a deal with U.S. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now," Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. "It's not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days," he said. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump's characterization. The U.S. State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalizing a trade deal. The Pakistan foreign ministry also said Dar "appreciated the pivotal role" by Trump and Rubio "in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire." The State Department statement did not mention India. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India disputes Trump's claims that the ceasefire resulted from his intervention and trade threats. India's position is that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve problems directly with no outside involvement. An April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbors in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. India struck Pakistan on May 7 and the two nations exchanged hostilities, killing dozens across three days. The ceasefire was declared on May 10. New Delhi blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not blame Islamabad. REUTERS


CNA
18 hours ago
- CNA
Man in India arrested for operating fake embassy
Scroll up for the next video X Man in India arrested for operating fake embassy


CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Britain and India sign free trade pact during Modi visit
LONDON: Britain and India signed a free trade agreement on Thursday (Jul 24) during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, marking the UK's biggest post-Brexit trade deal and India's most significant partnership with an advanced economy. The pact cuts tariffs on goods ranging from whisky to cars and textiles, and expands market access for businesses. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion (US$34 billion) by 2040. Negotiations concluded in May after three years of on-and-off talks, accelerated in recent months by global economic uncertainty and tariff pressures triggered by US President Donald Trump. 'BLUEPRINT FOR SHARED PROSPERITY' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, hosting Modi at his Chequers residence, said the deal would make trade 'cheaper, quicker and easier' between the two nations. 'We've entered a new global era, and that is one that requires us to step up, not to stand aside... by building deeper partnerships and alliances,' Starmer said. Modi described the agreement as 'a blueprint for our shared prosperity,' noting that Indian goods such as textiles, jewellery, and seafood would gain improved access to the UK market. The agreement will take effect following a ratification process expected within the year. Under the terms, 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain will benefit from zero duties, while the average tariff faced by UK firms will drop to 3 per cent from 15 per cent. WHISKY, CARS AND SERVICES Tariffs on Scotch whisky will fall from 150 per cent to 75 per cent immediately, and will gradually reduce to 40 per cent over the next 10 years. Duties on brandy and rum will drop to 110 per cent and then to 75 per cent. India will also lower tariffs on cars to 10 per cent within five years under a quota system that will be gradually liberalised. In return, Indian electric and hybrid vehicles will gain access to the UK market under a similar quota system. While the deal is significant, its projected impact on the UK economy is modest. Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts the deal will add £4.8 billion a year to GDP by 2040, small compared to Britain's 2024 GDP of £2.6 trillion. The OBR has also predicted UK trade will remain about 15 per cent lower in the long term compared to pre-Brexit levels. BEYOND TARIFFS: BUSINESS, MOBILITY AND PROCUREMENT The agreement includes provisions for smoother access for temporary business visitors, though it does not cover visas. Workers on temporary assignments will no longer need to make social security contributions in both countries. UK businesses will gain access to India's public procurement markets, particularly in sectors like clean energy. The agreement also opens doors for British insurance and other services firms in India. However, India did not secure an exemption from Britain's upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which may impose higher taxes on high-emission imports from 2027. The Labour government, in office for one year, has sought to ease post-Brexit trade tensions, including resetting ties with the EU and securing tariff relief from the US. 'In an era of rising protectionism, today's announcement sends a powerful signal,' said Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry. India's leading business group, the Confederation of Indian Industry, said the deal 'lays a strong foundation for deeper market access' across key sectors. After signing the agreement, Modi met King Charles at his Sandringham estate following nearly three hours of talks with Starmer. The two countries also announced a partnership covering defence, climate and crime cooperation.