A special court in Mumbai today convicted 12 accused in the 2006 serial bomb blasts that rattled Mumbai and killed 188 people. Delivering the verdict, the Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act – MCOCA 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.<br/><br/>The chargesheet filed by ATS in November 2006 had named 30 people: 17 Indians and 13 Pakistani nationals. It had said that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were made in a room in Govandi in suburban Mumbai and some Pakistani nationals were also present during the bomb-making. However, the agency could arrest only 13 Indian accused for trial. Among the 17 people who are absconding is Azam Cheema, the alleged mastermind of the blasts. <br/><br/>Those convicted today include Kamal Ahamed Ansari (37), Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (37), Mohd Faisal Shaikh (36), Ehtesham Siddiqui (30), Mohammad Majid Shafi (32), Shaikh Alam Shaikh (41), Mohd Sajid Ansari (34), Muzzammil Shaikh (27), Soheil Mehmood Shaikh (43), Zamir Ahmad Shaikh (36), Naveed Hussain Khan (30) and Asif Khan (38) while accused number 8 Abdul Wahid Din Mohammed Shaikh was acquitted. All the accused were allegedly linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, SIMI.<br/><br/>Seven RDX bombs had exploded within a span of 10 minutes in the first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11, 2006, not just killing 188 people but also injuring 829 others. In the eight year long trail, the prosecution examined 192 witnesses while the defence called 51 witnesses.<br/><br/>Reacting to the verdict, former Mumbai police commissioner Mr. A N Roy, who had played a key role in the investigation, said he was happy that the court has endorsed the chargesheet. Former ATS chief KP Raghuvanshi, who probed the case recalled that it was difficult to procure any clues. He said the probe teams had to work very hard as it was a crowded scene coupled with evening rains.<br/><br/>Judge Yatin D Shinde will begin hearing the arguments related to the quantum of sentence from Monday. Special Public Prosecutor Raja Thakare has said that he would pray for maximum punishment as it was a matter related to the death of so many people. Meanwhile, Mumbai remained on general alert today. Heavy security cordon was laid down around the court and patrolling points were set up at sensitive locations across the city.

In an important decision, Special MCOCA court pronounced 12 accused out of 13 as guilty in 7/11 train serial blast case. One accused was acquitted from all charges. Special Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act court has begun to pronounce its verdict today. Public prosecutor informed that the court today read the operative part of the verdict. The quantum of punishment would be pronounced on Monday after the arguments.<br/><br/>Special MCOCA judge Yatin D Shinde had concluded the trial on August 19 last year. The verdict was differed number of times over the last one year. In a trial that lasted for eight years, the prosecution examined 192 witnesses, including 8 IPS and 5 IAS officers as well as 18 doctors. The defense lawyers examined 51 witnesses and 1 person was called as a court witness. The deposition made by witnesses runs into around 5,500 pages.<br/><br/>Seven RDX bombs had exploded in the first class coaches of Mumbai's suburban trains on July 11, 2006, over a period of 11 minutes, killing 189 people and injuring 829. Pressure cookers were used for the first time to plant the bombs and ultimately their handles recovered from all sites proved as major breakthrough in the investigation. <br/><br/>The blast occurred between Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari-Mahim Junction, Mira Road- Bhayander, Matunga- Mahim Junction and Borivali. Terror outfit Laskar- -e Taiba's handler and main conspirator of these serial blasts, Azam Chima, along with 14 others, is absconding in the case. Examination of witnesses resumed after two years since the Supreme Court had stayed the trial in 2008.<br/><br/>Before the stay, the prosecution had already examined a police officer. The Supreme Court vacated the stay on April 23, 2010. The accused found guilty are Kamal Ahamed Ansari (37), Tanvir Ahmed Ansari (37), Mohd Faisal Shaikh (36), Ehtesham Siddiqui (30), Mohammad Majid Shafi (32), Shaikh Alam Shaikh (41), Mohd Sajid Ansari (34),), Muzzammil Shaikh (27), Soheil Mehmood Shaikh (43), Zamir Ahmad Shaikh (36), Naveed Hussain Khan (30), Asif Khan (38). Accused No. 8 Abdul Wahid Sheikh was acquitted.