• Bombay High Court acquits all 12 accused in 2006 Mumbai train blasts case.
• The court found major flaws in the prosecution's evidence and witness credibility.
• Prosecutors were unable to establish key details about the blasts, leading to the acquittal.
• The case involved deep-rooted issues regarding the trial process and witness reliability.
• The acquitted have spent nearly 19 years in jail pending their trials and appeals.

The Bombay High Court made a landmark ruling on July 21, 2025, acquitting all 12 individuals previously convicted in connection with the deadly 2006 Mumbai train blasts that killed 189 people and injured over 800. The court's decision overturned a 2015 verdict from a special MCOCA court, which had sentenced five men to death and the remaining seven to life imprisonment, citing a complete failure of the prosecution to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

The judges, Justices Anil Kilor and S.M. Chandak, criticized the prosecution's handling of the case, stating they had "utterly failed" to prove vital details regarding the type of explosives used and the credibility of witness testimonies, characterized as "stock witnesses." For instance, many witnesses were unable to recall specific details until years after the events; this lack of reliability cast doubt on the integrity of the prosecution's case, reports Indiatimes and Dawn.

Significantly, the court noted that the prosecution's case rested heavily on confessions obtained under questionable conditions, which were deemed inadmissible. The Bombay High Court found that the testimonies of taxi drivers who claimed to have driven the accused to the train station were unreliable due to their delayed recollection of events. This comprehensive assessment led to the conclusion that the evidence presented was not sufficient to sustain the convictions or the death sentences, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

This ruling serves as a critical commentary on the inefficiencies and potential injustices within the criminal justice system, highlighting the necessity for rigorous evidence standards to prevent wrongful convictions. The court's dismissal of the earlier judgment has sparked discussions on the reliability of the investigative methods employed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the implications for future cases, as emphasized by Indiatimes and Dawn.