The Supreme Court of India’s High Court in Gujarat reaffirmed the death penalty for 38 convicts and imposed life imprisonment on 11 others in the 2008 bomb blasts that killed 26 people and injured 95. The decision was handed down on Wednesday, following a 2022 order by a special court that had initially handed down the sentences.
The 2008 bombings, which targeted the Indian National Congress office and a bus carrying Congress workers in Surendranagar district, were part of a series of attacks that shook the state in the summer of that year. The 49 accused were charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to the High Court’s ruling, the 38 convicts were found guilty of conspiracy, possession of explosives, and murder. The court held that the severity of the crimes and the evidence presented warranted the death penalty. The 11 remaining convicts were found guilty of lesser offences and were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The 2022 special court order was the first time an Indian court awarded the death penalty to 38 people in a single case, a move that drew criticism from human rights groups. The High Court’s decision reaffirms the earlier verdict, maintaining the same sentences.
The Gujarat High Court’s ruling is the final step in the legal process for these cases. The convicts may still appeal to the Supreme Court, but the court has not yet scheduled a hearing.
The Gujarat blasts remain one of the most high‑profile terror cases in India, and the verdicts are likely to have implications for future prosecutions of terrorism cases across the country.
Sources
– Hindustan Times, “Gujarat 2008 blasts: HC upholds death sentence for 38 convicts, life term for 11,” 2026‑07‑07. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-2008-blasts-hc-upholds-death-sentence-for-38-convicts-life-term-for-11-101783412052903.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
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