The July 11, 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts trial is set to resume on June 22. All the 13 accused were produced before the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) court here on Monday.
“The court has said continuous hearings will be held on June 22, 23, 24 and then from June 28. All the accused have legal representation except one,” Public Prosecutor Raja Thakare told TheHindu .
“The court allowed the accused to meet their families and announced the hearing date,” Wahab Khan, counsel for four of the accused, said.
The Supreme Court had stayed the trial in February 2008 after one of the accused challenged the constitutional validity of a Section under the MCOCA. The stay was vacated in April this year. The case is handled by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad.
Blasts ripped through seven local trains along Mumbai's western line killing 209 and injuring 700. The perpetrators had placed explosives-laden pressure cookers in the first class compartments. The explosions took place within 11 minutes, leaving the city in a shock. There are 13 accused and 15 absconders in the case.