Gujarat High Court upholds death sentences for 38 in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday, July 7, upheld the special court’s 2022 verdict in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, confirming death sentences for 38 convicts and life imprisonment for 11 others. A division bench comprising Justices A.Y. Kogje and Samir Dave rejected all appeals filed by the convicts, who were members of the Indian Mujahideen terror group. The blasts, which occurred on July 26, 2008, involved 21 coordinated explosions across the city within 70 minutes, killing 56 people and injuring over 200 others, including attacks on hospitals.

The horrific attacks targeted crowded areas such as markets, buses, and hospitals, sending shockwaves through the nation. The special court had convicted 49 accused out of 77 tried, acquitting 28 for lack of evidence. The High Court’s decision comes after years of legal proceedings and marks a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families. The court also directed the state government to provide compensation to the victims.

Under Indian law, a death sentence awarded by a trial court must be officially confirmed by the High Court through a thorough re-examination of the evidence (Article 366 of the CrPC). This landmark ruling further reinforces India’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism and brings closure to one of the deadliest terror incidents in Gujarat’s history. The swift police investigation and long-drawn legal battle further highlighted the challenges in prosecuting complex terror cases involving cross-border networks.