JUDGMENT

Jagdish Singh Khehar, J.

1. On 11.7.2006 there were seven bomb blasts in seven different first class compartments of local trains of Mumbai Suburban Railways. These bomb blasts resulted in the death of 187 persons. Severe injuries on account of the said bomb blasts were caused to 829 persons. These blasts led to the registration of following seven criminal reports:

i) CR No.77 of 2006 at Mumbai Central Police Station.

ii) CR No.78 of 2006 at Mumbai Central Police Station.

iii) CR No.86 of 2006 at Bandra Railway Police Station

iv) CR No.87 of 2006 at Bandra Railway Police Station

v) CR No.41 of 2006 at Andheri Railway Police Station.

vi) CR No.59 of 2006 at Vasai Road Railway Police Station

vii) CR No.156 of 2006 at Borivli Railway Police Station.

In all these cases investigation was transferred to the Anti Terrorists Squad, Mumbai (hereinafter referred to as “the ATS”), wherein the matter was registered as CR No.5 of 2006.

2. In all 13 accused were arrested in connection with the bomb blasts of 11.7.2006. The accused-respondents herein are the accused in the controversy. Initially the accused-respondents were charged with offences punishable under Sections 302, 307, 326, 427, 436, 20