High Court Upholds Death Sentences in Ahmedabad Serial Bomb Case

The Gujarat High Court, on Tuesday, affirmed the special court's decision to retain death penalties for 38 of the 49 accused and life sentences for the remaining 11 in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bombings case. The ruling follows a protracted legal battle that began after the high‑profile investigation led by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch.

Former DCP Abhay Chudasama, who played a pivotal role in the investigation, said the court's affirmation underscored the solidity of the evidence gathered over months of intensive work. "Our investigation was not limited to paperwork; we collected rental agreements, mobile‑phone usage data, identity documents and hotel records. These pieces formed a robust evidentiary chain," he explained.

Chudasama also highlighted that the investigative process exposed a nationwide Indian Mujahideen network, linking bombings in Jaipur, Delhi and other cities to the Ahmedabad attacks. The Crime Branch submitted four separate charge sheets, each addressing distinct facets such as financing, communications and procurement of explosives.

In addition to confirming the sentences, the court ordered compensation: ₹10 lakh for families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for seriously injured victims, and ₹1 lakh for those with less severe injuries. Legal experts view the decision as a landmark affirmation of India's counter‑terrorism and judicial response to mass‑casualty attacks.

The verdict marks the culmination of years of coordinated police work, inter‑agency cooperation and meticulous evidence collection, setting a benchmark for future investigations of terror‑related incidents.