Trial Opens Nearly 12 Years After the Triple Explosions in Mumbai

On Thursday, the trial for the devastating 2011 triple bomb blasts in Mumbai began, marking a major milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims. The city was rocked by three explosions on July 13, 2011, which resulted in the loss of 27 lives and injury to 127 others.

The first day of the trial was marked by the examination of a panch witness who was present when the police received the splinters from a hospital. The testimony of the witness is crucial in establishing the chain of evidence and will play a vital role in the outcome of the case.

In the aftermath of the blasts, the Mumbai police's Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested 11 individuals who were accused of being part of the banned Indian Mujahideen group. The accused include Kawalnayan Pathrija, Haroon Rashid Abdul Hamid Naik, Naquee Ahmed, Nadeem Sheikh, Mohammed Kaffeel Ansari, Yasin Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar, Sayyed Afaq Ismile Lanka, Saddam Husain Khan, Zia Ur Rehman, and Tehseen Akhtar Sheikh. Unfortunately, one of the accused, Kawalnayan Pathrija, passed away before the trial could begin.

Also Read: 25-Year Relationship Ends In Tragedy: Mumbai Woman Succumbs To Acid Attack Injuries

The court had ordered the framing of charges against the accused in 2019, but it took some time for the process to commence due to the accused being housed in separate jails. On Thursday, they were produced via videoconferencing, giving the proceedings a unique twist in the era of technology.

Among the accused produced was Yasin Bhatkal, who is suspected of being the key conspirator behind the blasts. The Anti-Terrorism Squad has claimed that Bhatkal, Waqas, and Tabrez rented a flat in Mumbai to assemble explosives, which were then planted at various locations across the city. Nadeem Sheikh's confession stated that Bhatkal placed bombs at Dadar while Waqas and Tabrez placed bombs at Zaveri Bazaar and Opera House.

Bhatkal had fled to Darbhanga after the arrest of 21 Indian Mujahideen members in 2008. He then started entrapping Muslim youths in Darbhanga for the Indian Mujahideen. The police claim that the teens would have been sent to Pakistan for further training.