In a landmark judgment, the Gujarat High Court on Monday upheld the Ahmedabad City Sessions Court's 2022 verdict in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, confirming the death sentence awarded to 38 convicts and life imprisonment till the end of natural life for 11 others. The division bench dismissed all appeals filed by the convicts while also affirming the trial court's findings.

The High Court further directed the Gujarat government to ensure compensation for victims by March 31, 2027. Families of those killed in the blasts will receive ₹10 lakh each, victims who sustained grievous injuries will be paid ₹5 lakh, while those with minor injuries will receive ₹1 lakh as compensation.

High Court Confirms Trial Court Verdict

The verdict marks the culmination of a long legal battle that began after the devastating serial blasts on July 26, 2008. The Ahmedabad City Sessions Court had, on February 18, 2022, sentenced 38 convicts to death and 11 others to life imprisonment until the end of their natural lives. The Gujarat government had sought confirmation of the death penalties, while the convicted individuals challenged the judgment before the High Court.

After hearing the appeals, the High Court upheld the trial court's order in its entirety.

2008 Blasts Claimed 56 Lives

The coordinated terror attack struck Ahmedabad on the evening of July 26, 2008, when 21 bomb blasts ripped through 20 locations across the city within a span of nearly 90 minutes, between 6:15 pm and 7:45 pm.

The explosions killed 56 people and injured more than 200 others. Investigators said improvised explosive devices were planted in bicycles, buses and cars, including vehicles parked near Civil Hospital and L.G. Hospital, where several casualties were reported.

Massive Trial Spanning More Than a Decade

The trial involved 78 accused, of whom 49 were convicted and 29 acquitted. According to the prosecution, the investigation included 35 FIRs, 548 charge sheets, examination of 1,163 witnesses, and nearly 6,000 documentary and material exhibits.

The court's judgment ran into approximately 7,000 pages, while the complete case record reportedly exceeded 7.8 lakh pages, making it one of India's most extensive criminal trials.

The accused faced charges under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Explosive Substances Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Information Technology Act, the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Security Tightened Around High Court

Ahead of the verdict, authorities deployed extensive security arrangements at the Gujarat High Court. Entry to the court premises was allowed only after baggage screening, while personnel from the Crime Branch, local police, State Reserve Police (SRP), and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad were stationed throughout the complex.

More than two dozen lawyers attended the proceedings, and security remained in place inside and outside Court No. 39, where the judgment was pronounced.

Prosecution's Case

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that several accused had attended training camps in Halol, Gujarat, and Kerala in early 2008, where they were allegedly trained in bomb-making and radicalised through extremist speeches. Investigators claimed the conspirators later executed the coordinated bomb attacks targeting crowded public places across Ahmedabad.

The investigation led to the arrest of 82 accused after police registered 20 FIRs in Ahmedabad and 15 in Surat. Officials stated that the case was substantially cracked within 19 days of the blasts.

The High Court's decision is one of the most significant judicial developments in the nearly 18-year-old terror case, reaffirming the convictions and sentences awarded by the trial court while bringing the prolonged appellate proceedings to a close.