Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday upheld the special court’s verdict in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, confirming the death penalty for 38 convicts and life imprisonment for 11 others. The coordinated bomb blasts, which took place on July 26, 2008, claimed 56 lives and left 246 people injured.

The High Court also directed the Gujarat government to pay compensation to the victims by March 31, 2027. Families of those killed will receive ₹10 lakh each, while those who suffered grievous injuries will be paid ₹5 lakh and those with simple injuries ₹1 lakh.

A series of bomb blasts rocked Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008, while several unexploded bombs were recovered from Surat two days later. The investigation by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch named more than 100 accused, with 78 eventually facing trial. In February 2022, a special court convicted 49 accused and acquitted 28 others.

The 2008 attacks were notable for targeting hospitals for the first time. Emails sent in the name of the attackers claimed the blasts were carried out in retaliation for the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat.

The division bench of Justice A.Y. Kogje and Justice S.J. Dave heard appeals against the 7,015-page special court judgment delivered on February 8, 2022, along with the state government’s plea seeking confirmation of the death sentences awarded to the 38 convicts.

The trial combined 35 cases, including 20 FIRs registered in Ahmedabad over the blasts and 15 in Surat, where bombs were planted but failed to explode. The convicts were found guilty under the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Among those convicted were former banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) leader Safdar Nagori and several of his associates from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and other states. Investigators alleged that the accused had regrouped under the banner of the Indian Mujahideen (IM).

The 49 convicts were found guilty on charges including murder, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, sedition, waging war against the nation, and involvement in unlawful and terrorist activities. DeshGujarat