Legal Lethargy

A detailed study of the Bombay High Court's judgement draws attention to many anomalies plaguing the judicial system

- Vibhuti Narain Rai

AN July 11, 2006, a series of bomb blasts took place in the first-class coaches of multiple local trains in Mumbai.

The incidents led to 187 people losing their lives, and since then justice has been prolonged and delayed for the aggrieved families. In the case, the 12 arrested and 15 absconding accused were tried by a sessions court, resulting in death sentences for many, and different terms of imprisonment for the rest. But on July 21, 2025, all the accused were acquitted by the Bombay High Court. The Government of Maharashtra has appealed against the decision in the Supreme Court, but for the moment, the High Court's decision has been put on hold for the final judgement, leading to further delay in justice owed to the families of the victims. As of now, our experience indicates that the wait could take many years.