In a landmark judgment delivered on Monday, the Gujarat High Court upheld the convictions and sentences awarded by the Special Court in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case. The court confirmed the death penalty for 38 convicts and upheld life imprisonment until natural death for 11 others, affirming the Special Court’s 2022 verdict.
On July 26, 2008, a series of 21 bomb blasts struck 20 locations across Ahmedabad, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200. In 2022, the Special Court made judicial history by awarding the death sentence to 38 accused in a single case. While the Gujarat government sought confirmation of the death sentences, 48 convicts challenged their convictions and punishments before the High Court.
Victims to Receive Compensation
The High Court also directed compensation for the victims of the blasts. Families of those killed will receive ₹10 lakh each, while those who suffered serious injuries will be paid ₹1 lakh each.
Extensive Trial and Investigation
The case followed a massive investigation involving 35 FIRs and the filing of 548 charge sheets.
During the trial, the prosecution presented more than 6,000 documentary and material exhibits, and the testimonies of 1,163 witnesses were recorded.On February 8, 2022, Special Court Judge A.R. Patel convicted 49 accused and pronounced sentences, including the death penalty for 38 of them.
Among those sentenced to death was Safdar Nagori, former General Secretary of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
High Court Confirmation
As required under Section 366 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), every death sentence awarded by a trial court must be confirmed by the High Court before it can be carried out.
Accordingly, the Gujarat High Court examined the Special Court’s verdict and has now upheld the death sentences of all 38 convicts, while also confirming life imprisonment until natural death for the remaining 11 convicts.