The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentences awarded to 38 convicts and life imprisonment terms given to 11 others in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, which claimed 56 lives and left around 200 people injured. The court rejected appeals filed against the verdict of a special court that had convicted members of the banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) in connection with the attacks. A division bench comprising Justices A Y Kogje and Samir Dave upheld the judgment delivered by the special court and confirmed the sentences imposed on the convicts.

The bench dismissed the appeals challenging the convictions and punishments, thereby maintaining the death penalty for 38 accused and life imprisonment for 11 others. The case relates to a series of coordinated bomb explosions that shook Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008. As many as 21 blasts occurred across the city within a span of approximately 70 minutes, targeting crowded areas and creating widespread panic. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 56 people, while about 200 others sustained injuries.

Several locations across Ahmedabad were targeted during the attacks, including some hospitals where injured victims were being treated. The coordinated nature of the explosions led investigators to launch a major probe involving multiple security agencies. The investigation later linked the attacks to members of the Indian Mujahideen. After a lengthy trial, a special court in Ahmedabad delivered its judgment in 2022. The court awarded the death penalty to 38 members of the Indian Mujahideen, describing the case as one involving serious acts of terrorism and mass casualties.

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Another 11 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in the conspiracy and execution of the attacks. The accused had challenged the special court’s decision before the Gujarat High Court, seeking relief against their convictions and sentences. After examining the appeals and the arguments presented by both sides, the High Court concluded that there was no basis to interfere with the lower court’s findings. The confirmation of the sentences marks a significant development in one of Gujarat’s most serious terror cases. The verdict reinforces the findings of the trial court regarding the planning and execution of the attacks, while bringing the judicial proceedings at the High Court level to a conclusion.

The 2008 Ahmedabad blasts case was part of a series of terror attacks carried out in different parts of India during that period. The investigation involved extensive evidence collection, including witness statements, forensic analysis and intelligence inputs. The final verdict has been closely followed due to the scale of the attack and the number of victims involved. With the Gujarat High Court upholding the sentences, the legal process may continue further through available remedies before higher judicial authorities. The development also marks another major step in the long-running case that began with one of the deadliest terror attacks in Ahmedabad’s history.

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