25 August 2003 Mumbai bombings
Encyclopedia
The 25 August 2003 Mumbai bombings were twin car bombings in the Indian city of Mumbai
that killed 54, and injured 244 people. One of the bomb explosions took place at the Gateway of India
, which is a major tourist attraction. The other bomb went off in a jewellery market Zaveri Bazaar
near the Mumba Devi temple
in central Mumbai. Both the bombs were planted in parked taxi
s and exploded during the lunch hour. No group initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but Kashmir rebel group and Pakistan
-based Lashkar-e-Toiba
was blamed for it.
On 31 August 2003, three suspects—Ashrat Ansari, Haneef Sayyed and his wife Fahmeeda were arrested. All three were convicted and sentenced to death in 2009 by a special POTA
court in Mumbai. Haneef was recruited in Dubai
, UAE by Pakistani nationals to avenge anti-Muslim riots in India. His wife assisted and chose targets, while Ansari planted the bomb at Zaveri Bazar.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
that killed 54, and injured 244 people. One of the bomb explosions took place at the Gateway of India
Gateway of India
Its design is a combination of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, the arch is in Muslim style while the decorations are in Hindu style. The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. The stone was locally obtained, and the perforated screens were brought from Gwalior.The...
, which is a major tourist attraction. The other bomb went off in a jewellery market Zaveri Bazaar
Zaveri Bazaar
Zaveri Bazaar is a jewelry market and a major hub for B2B jewelry industry in Mumbai, India. Located at Bhuleshwar in South Mumbai, just north of Crawford Market, Zaveri Bazaar is a muddle of narrow lanes, dotted with hundreds of jewelry shops that sell gems and jewels, notably Tribhovandas Bhimji...
near the Mumba Devi temple
Mumba Devi Temple
Mumba Devi Mandir, or Mumba Devi Temple , is an old Hindu temple in the city of Mumbai, dedicated to the goddess , the local incarnation of the Devi...
in central Mumbai. Both the bombs were planted in parked taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
s and exploded during the lunch hour. No group initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but Kashmir rebel group and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
-based Lashkar-e-Toiba
Lashkar-e-Toiba
Lashkar-e-Taiba – also transliterated as Lashkar-i-Tayyaba, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Lashkar-i-Taiba, Lashkar Taiba or LeT – is one of the largest and most active militant Islamist terrorist organizations in South Asia, operating mainly from Pakistan.It was founded by Hafiz Muhammad...
was blamed for it.
On 31 August 2003, three suspects—Ashrat Ansari, Haneef Sayyed and his wife Fahmeeda were arrested. All three were convicted and sentenced to death in 2009 by a special POTA
POTA
POTA may refer to:*Port of the Americas *Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act*Planet of the Apes *Prevention of Terrorist Act, India...
court in Mumbai. Haneef was recruited in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, UAE by Pakistani nationals to avenge anti-Muslim riots in India. His wife assisted and chose targets, while Ansari planted the bomb at Zaveri Bazar.
Chronology of events
As per rediff.com- 25 August 2003: Twin blasts occur at Zaveri BazaarZaveri BazaarZaveri Bazaar is a jewelry market and a major hub for B2B jewelry industry in Mumbai, India. Located at Bhuleshwar in South Mumbai, just north of Crawford Market, Zaveri Bazaar is a muddle of narrow lanes, dotted with hundreds of jewelry shops that sell gems and jewels, notably Tribhovandas Bhimji...
and Gateway of India in south Mumbai. Around 52 people are killed and over 100 injured. - 31 August 2003: Mumbai PoliceMumbai PoliceThe Mumbai Police is the police force of the city of Mumbai, India. It has the primary responsibilities of law enforcement and investigation within the limits of Mumbai. The department's motto is ""...
arrests three accused Ashrat Ansari (age 32), Hanif Sayed (age 46) and his wife Fehmida Sayed (age 43). - 1 October 2003: Two more accused, Mohammed Ansari Ladoowala and Mohammed Hasan Batterywala are held.
- 5 February 2004: Police files chargesheet against six accused in the case as per Prevention of Terrorist Activities ActPrevention of Terrorist Activities ActThe Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act was an anti-terrorism legislation enacted by the Parliament of India in 2002. The act replaced the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance of 2001 and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act , and was supported by the governing National Democratic Alliance...
in court. Accused also alleged to have been involved in placing an unexploded bomb in a bus at SEEPZSEEPZSantacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone is a Special Economic Zone in Mumbai, India. Situated in the Andheri East area, it is subjected to liberal economic laws as compared to the rest of India to promote rapid economic growth using tax and business incentives and attract foreign investment...
in suburban Andheri in 2 December 2002 and placing bomb in bus at GhatkoparGhatkoparGhatkopar is a suburban neighbourhood of eastern Mumbai. It is also a railway station serviced by Central Railway line of the Mumbai suburban railway.-History:...
in 8 July 2003 in which two persons were killed. - 20 June 2004: Charges are framed against five accused. One is left off.
- 2 September 2004: Trial begins officially in court.
- December 2008—Ladoowala and Batterywala are discharged from the case by POTA court. Later Supreme Court of IndiaSupreme Court of IndiaThe Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
also upholds POTA review committee report stating no charges hold ground against them. - 27 July 2009: Three accused Ashrat Ansari, Hanif Sayed and his wife Fehmida Sayed are convicted by special POTA court under sections of IPC, POTA, Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act.
- 6 August 2009: Three convicts are sentenced to death.