A special court in Mumbai will today begin hearing the arguments related to the quantum of sentence in the 2006 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case.<br/><br/>The quantum of punishment is likely to be delivered today following arguments from both sides. The Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, MCOCA court on Friday convicted 12 accused in the blasts case that rattled Mumbai killing 188 people and injuring 829 others. Delivering the verdict, the court held the accused guilty of various charges under IPC, Explosives Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Indian Railway Act apart from various MCOCA sections that could attract death penalty. One accused was acquitted from all charges.<br/><br/>The chargesheet filed by Anti Terrorism Squad, ATS in November 2006 had named 30 people: 17 Indians and 13 Pakistani nationals. However, the agency could arrest only 13 Indian accused for trial.<br/><br/>Among the 17 people who are absconding is Azam Cheema, the alleged mastermind of the blasts.<br/><br/>All the accused were allegedly linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, SIMI. Seven RDX bombs had exploded within a span of 10 minutes in the first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11th, 2006.

A special court in Mumbai will today begin hearing the arguments related to the quantum of sentence in the 2006 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case.<br/><br/>The quantum of punishment is likely to be delivered today following arguments from both sides. The Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, MCOCA court on Friday convicted 12 accused in the blasts case that rattled Mumbai killing 188 people and injuring 829 others. Delivering the verdict, the court held the accused guilty of various charges under IPC, Explosives Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Indian Railway Act apart from various MCOCA sections that could attract death penalty. One accused was acquitted from all charges.<br/><br/>The chargesheet filed by Anti Terrorism Squad, ATS in November 2006 had named 30 people: 17 Indians and 13 Pakistani nationals. However, the agency could arrest only 13 Indian accused for trial.<br/><br/>Among the 17 people who are absconding is Azam Cheema, the alleged mastermind of the blasts.<br/><br/>All the accused were allegedly linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, SIMI. Seven RDX bombs had exploded within a span of 10 minutes in the first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11th, 2006.