189 killed, over 800 injured, 0 convictions: Timeline of 2006 Mumbai train blasts

July 16, 2006: Seven blasts in 11 minutes ripped through Mumbai’s suburban trains during peak hours, killing 189 people and injuring over 800. Bombs were planted in first-class compartments of Western Railway trains. Panic, chaos and blood marked the city’s darkest rush hour. (Image: AFP)

2006: A terror group called Lashkar-e-Qahhar, linked to Pakistan-based LeT, claimed responsibility via an email to a news channel. Investigations hinted at cross-border involvement early on. (Representative Image)

July 17-21, 2006: Forensic labs confirmed use of RDX and Ammonium Nitrate. ATS said bombs were assembled in Chembur. Three suspects were arrested. (AFP)

November 2006: The ATS filed a detailed chargesheet under MCOCA. 13 accused were arrested; 15 remained absconding. It was one of the first major terror cases to use MCOCA extensively.

SC stayed the trial on constitutional grounds of MCOCA. In 2008–09, Indian Mujahideen operatives were arrested and confessed. This contradicted the ATS’ narrative involving Pakistani agents. (Representative Image)

Shahid Azmi, who defended several accused, was shot dead in his Mumbai office. His death triggered outrage and raised questions about the fairness and safety around the trial.

Yasin Bhatkal, IM co-founder, confessed to the bombings during his arrest at the Indo-Nepal border. He called it revenge for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The MCOCA court convicted 12 of the 13 arrested in the case. The court sentenced five convicts – Kamal Ansari, Faisal Shaikh, Estesham Siddiqui, Naveed Khan and Asif Bashir Khan – to death. Seven others – Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Sajid Ansari, Majid Shafi, Dr Tanveer Ansari, Muzzammil Shaikh, Zamir Shaikh and Sohail Shaikh – were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court acquitted one of the accused. (Image: Reuters)

July 21, 2025: Bombay High Court overturned all convictions. Judges said the prosecution failed to prove guilt, and evidence was riddled with inconsistencies. A 19-year-long case collapsed in one ruling. (Photo: AFP)