Mumbai: A day after being acquitted by the Bombay High Court in the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, Mohammed Ali Shaikh, a resident of Govandi, returned home to an emotional welcome from family and neighbours. Shaikh, now 56, spent 19 years in jail for a crime he always maintained he did not commit, reported the Times of India.
Relatives gathered at his home, offering sweets and warm embraces. Phones rang constantly with calls congratulating the family on the long-awaited acquittal.
“The joy of sitting with my wife, children, and siblings after all these years is indescribable,” Shaikh told The Times of India on Tuesday. “The High Court has upheld the truth. We have always believed in justice, and even if the case goes to the Supreme Court, we are confident of victory.”
Shaikh revealed that he and fellow accused Ehtesham Siddiqui were released from Nagpur jail on Monday evening after receiving news of their acquittal via an online court hearing. They arrived in Mumbai early Tuesday morning.
Shaikh alleged that he was falsely implicated, tortured, and humiliated by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). “An ATS officer even slapped my 11-year-old son. They frequently harassed my family, held me at gunpoint, and tried to pressure me into becoming an approver. They offered me Rs 10 lakh, a job in Dubai, and Rs 10,000 as monthly expenses. But I refused because we were innocent,” he said.
The ATS had accused Shaikh of sheltering a Pakistani national who allegedly manufactured the bombs used in the coordinated train blasts. “It was all a lie. They destroyed our lives and reputation,” a family member said.
While imprisoned, Shaikh was denied parole when his brother Munawwar died. He was granted parole when his father passed away, but was asked to pay Rs 1.7 lakh for police escort from Thane jail to Govandi. “I couldn’t afford that amount,” he said.
Despite the hardship, Shaikh used his time in jail productively. He completed two courses in tourism, graduated in Arts, and began a Master’s degree in History. He now plans to complete his post-graduation.
Another co-accused, Zameer Shaikh (50), a key-maker from Worli, was also acquitted and released from Amravati jail on Monday. Speaking to TOI over the phone, he said, “I thank Allah for my release. My son, who was in Class 1 when I was arrested, is now a mechanical engineer. My daughter is also pursuing her studies. Sadly, I lost both my parents during my time in jail.”
Zameer had been sentenced to life by a trial court for allegedly undergoing arms training in Pakistan and having links to the Matunga train blast.
The acquittals highlight long-standing concerns over wrongful convictions and misuse of anti-terror laws. Many are now questioning the system that kept innocent men behind bars for nearly two decades.
