A court in India has sentenced 38 convicts to death
for their role in a series of bomb blasts in 2008 in the western state of
Gujarat.
56 people were killed and over 200 injured in the bombings, which
took place in the commercial capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad,
The court in Ahmedabad also sentenced 11 other convicts to life in prison until
death.The accused can challenge their sentences in a higher court.
On 26 July 2008, around 21 bombs exploded in the space of an hour across
residential areas, market places, public transport and hospitals in Ahmedabad.
Several unexploded bombs were also found. Over 200 were injured and 56
killed in 21 bomb blasts that hit Ahmedabad city within a span of 70 minutes .
The Indian Mujahideen - then an unknown Islamic militant group - had claimed
responsibility for the attacks in an email sent to some media outlets.
In the Ahmedabad blasts, 78 people had faced trial - one of the accused, Ayaz
Saiyed, later helped investigating agencies.The remaining 28 have been
acquitted.
The prosecution examined 1,163 witnesses over the course of the trial,
according to The Indian Express
Special Judge AR Patel also ordered to give compensation of ₹100,000 Indian rupees each to
families of the victims
.