In a judgment that raises questions about India’s justice system handling of cases against Muslims, a sessions court in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, acquitted three Muslim men accused in the 2006 Kalupur railway station bomb blast, citing no proof against them. The accused—Mohammed Amir Shaikh, Aquib Saiyed, and Aslam Kashmiri—had spent years behind bars during their trial, only to be exonerated as the court found no proof linking them to the crime. In his decision, Additional Sessions Judge SL Thakkar remarked, “…There is no evidence from any witness that suggests the accused played any role in planning or executing the bomb blast.” The judge also pointed out that the documentary evidence presented failed to substantiate the prosecution’s allegations.

Despite their acquittal, only Kashmiri is likely to regain his freedom. Shaikh and Saiyed remain incarcerated, serving life sentences in unrelated cases in Amravati and Ahmedabad jails, underscoring the complicated reality for Muslim individuals charged under India’s anti-terror laws. The case, handled by the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), alleged that a bag containing RDX and a timer had been planted on the Karnavati Express, departing from Mumbai, which exploded at Kalupur station, injuring 10-15 passengers. Investigators initially accused Kamlesh Bhagora, a railway police constable, and a porter, whom they claimed placed the bomb under Bhagora’s instructions. Surprisingly, Bhagora booked for conspiracy and negligence was acquitted in 2013.

Nine people, including Shaikh, Saiyed, and Kashmiri, faced terrorism charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. During the trial, the prosecution called 34 witnesses and submitted 22 documents but failed to prove any direct involvement of the three men in the blast. This verdict is the latest in a series of acquittals involving hundreds of Muslim individuals across India, who have been accused and later cleared of terror-related charges due to lack of evidence. Many have endured prolonged detention and trials, only to be released after years in prison. In January 2023, six Muslim men in Ahmedabad were acquitted nearly two decades after being accused under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

Credit: Independent News Pakistan