Mumbai Court Grants Bail to 2011 Triple Blasts Accused

A special MCOCA court in Mumbai has granted bail to Zainul Shaikh, one of the accused in the 2011 Mumbai triple blasts case.

The blasts, which occurred on July 13, 2011, at Opera House, Zaveri Bazar, and Dadar, resulted in the deaths of 27 people and injuries to 127 others.

Shaikh was arrested in 2012 and has remained in prison since then. His lawyer argued that there has been a delay in the trial and that other accused in the case have been granted bail on the same ground.

The defence also contended that Shaikh is innocent and that there is no substantive evidence to establish his involvement. The alleged confessional statement of the co-accused was also disputed as involuntary and unreliable.

The prosecution, led by Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Missar, opposed the bail plea, arguing that there is sufficient evidence against the accused. Missar pointed out that while only 202 witnesses had been examined when other accused were granted bail in April 2026, 227 witnesses have now been examined, and the trial is likely to conclude soon.

However, Special Judge Satyanarayan R. Navander observed that Shaikh has undergone nearly 15 years of incarceration as an undertrial prisoner. The court noted that the co-accused, Naquee Ahmed and Haroon Naik, had been granted bail on the ground of prolonged incarceration coupled with delay in the conclusion of the trial.

The court rejected the prosecution's argument regarding substantial progress in the trial, stating that the examination of additional witnesses does not create a distinguishing circumstance sufficient to deny the benefit of parity to the present applicant.

While granting bail to Shaikh, the court observed that the progress of the trial deserves appreciation, but the fact that the applicant has already undergone nearly fifteen years of incarceration as an undertrial prisoner cannot be ignored.

The court's decision highlights the importance of ensuring a timely trial and the protection of the rights of undertrial prisoners. The case will continue to be closely watched as it progresses.

The 2011 Mumbai triple blasts case is a significant one, and the court's decision to grant bail to one of the accused has raised questions about the handling of the case and the rights of the accused.

The blasts were a traumatic event for the city of Mumbai, and the case has been ongoing for over a decade. The court's decision is a reminder that the justice system must balance the need to prosecute those accused of crimes with the need to protect the rights of all individuals, including those who are accused but not yet convicted.