MCOCA court reserves judgement in 2006 Mumbai train blasts case

Eight years after seven RDX-laden bombs went off in suburban trains here killing 188 people, a Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) Court concluded trial in the case on Tuesday and reserved its judgement, which is likely to be delivered next month.

"The court has reserved judgement in the case today", special public prosecutor Raja Thakare told PTI on Tuesday, adding that judgment is likely to be passed on September 19.

In the marathon trial which lasted for eight years, the prosecution examined 192 witnesses, including eight Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, 5 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers as well as 18 doctors, while defence lawyers examined 51 witnesses and one person was called as court witness. The deposition made by witnesses runs into around 5500 pages.

Seven RDX bombs had exploded in first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11, 2006, killing 188 people and injuring 829 others.

The blast occurred between Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari-Mahim Junction, Mira Road- Bhayander, Matunga- Mahim Junction and Borivili.

Kamal Ahamed Ansari (37), Dr Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (37), Mohd Faisal Shaikh (36), Ehtesham Siddiqui (30), Mohammad Majid Shafi (32), Shaikh Alam Shaikh (41), Mohd Sajid Ansari (34), Abdul Wahid Shaikh (34), Muzzammil Shaikh (27), Soheil Mehmood Shaikh (43), Zamir Ahmad Shaikh (36), Naveed Hussain Khan (30), Asif Khan (38) are the accused who were arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

Azam Chima, along with 14 others are absconding in the case. Examination of witnesses resumed after two years since the Supreme court had stayed the trial in 2008. Before the stay, the prosecution had already examined a police officer. The Supreme Court vacated the stay on April 23, 2010.