The MCOCA court in Mumbai today awarded capital punishment to five of the 12 convicts involved in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts.
These five were convicted for planting the bombs.
The remaining seven convicts were awarded life imprisonment. A look at the timeline of 7/11 mumbai train blasts case in this report.
On 11 July, 2006, seven RDX bombs rip first class compartments of Mumbai local trains between Churchgate & Bhayander station in a span of 11 minutes. Over 185 people died while over 800 were injured.
On 21 July, 2006, Police arrested three persons in connection with the blasts. Four months later, on 30 November, 2006 ATS charge sheet accused 13 people involved in the blasts who were arrested and 15 absconding accused were charged under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
On 21 June, 2007, the accused in the case, moved the Supreme Court challenging constitutional validity of MCOCA. But in February 2008, the apex Court ordered a stay on the trial of the accused.
Same year on 23 September, Five Indian Mujahideen operatives were arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch. The Crime Branch investigation showed that IM carried out the bombings.
Two years later, on 13 February, 2010, Shahid Azmi who was the defence lawyer of the accused in 7/11 blasts was shot dead in his office in Mumbai.
On 23rd April, 2010, Examination of the witnesses resumed and the stay on the trial was lifted. Two years later, in August, Co-founder of IM, Yasin Bhatkal was arrested at the Indo-Nepal border. He is accused of taking arms and explosive training in Pakistan in 2006 to launch terror attacks.
Exactly an year later on 20 August, 2014, the 7/11 trial concluded and court reserved the judgment.
Now, this year on 11th September, 2015, the special MCOCA court in Mumbai passed the verdict in which 12 out of 13 accused were convicted. While, Abdul Waheed Sheikh was acquitted.
On 23rd , 2015: The Prosecution demanded death sentence for eight convicts, and life for four others.
7/11 Mumbai Train Blasts Case
11 July, 2006 : 7 RDX bombs rip first class compartments of Mumbai local trains
July 21, 2006: 3 people connected with blasts arrested by police.
Nov 30, 2006: ATS chargesheet accused 13 arrested & 15 absconding people under MCOCA
June 21, 2007: Accused moved SC & challenged MCOCA’s constitutional validity
Feb 2008: SC ordered stay on trial of accused
Sep 23, 2008: 5 IM operatives arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch
Feb 13, 2010: Defence lawyer of accused shot dead in his office in Mumbai
April 23, 2010: Examination of witnesses resumed & stay on trial was lifted
Aug 20, 2013: Bhatkal arrested at Indo-Nepal border
Aug 20, 2014: Court resumed judgement & trial concluded
Sep 11, 2015: MCOCA court passed verdict- 12 out of 13 convicted, A.W.Sheikh acquitted
Reacting on the verdict, Former ATS of Mumbai train blasts KP Raghuvanshi said that at least the victims have got justice after a long time.