The Gujarat High Court has upheld the convictions and sentences from a special court regarding the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts. The court confirmed death penalties for 38 convicts and life imprisonment for 11 others, rejecting appeals against the sentences. This decision affirms the special court’s judgment from February 2022, which convicted 49 individuals for their involvement in one of India’s deadliest terror attacks.
Under the current laws, any death sentence issued by a trial court must be validated by the High Court before implementation. Additionally, the High Court ordered compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each of the 56 individuals killed in the serial blasts and Rs one lakh for over 200 injured persons. These directives were issued after the court’s verdict.
The case pertains to coordinated bomb attacks in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008, resulting in 56 fatalities and over 200 injuries. The attacks, involving 21 explosions within a short span, targeted buses, public areas, and hospitals treating victims from prior blasts. This incident led to a significant terrorism investigation, with police filing numerous charge sheets and registering 35 FIRs.
The trial, which included over 1,100 witnesses and extensive evidence, concluded in February 2022 with the special court convicting 49 individuals and acquitting 28 others. Out of the convicted, 38 received death sentences, while 11 were handed life imprisonment. Following the special court’s verdict, all convicts challenged the decision in the Gujarat High Court, while the state government sought validation of the death penalties.
The High Court deliberated on the matter extensively before delivering its judgment, affirming the convictions and sentences from the special court. The convicted individuals have the option to appeal the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court, as per legal procedures.
