The Maharashtra government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court’s recent decision to acquit all 12 individuals previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. The High Court, in a detailed judgment, overturned the 2015 convictions handed down by a special MCOCA court, which had sentenced five of the accused to death and seven to life imprisonment.

Citing serious lapses in the prosecution’s case—including unreliable witness testimonies, questionable identification procedures, and lack of forensic evidence—the court stated that the guilt of the accused was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. In response, the state government has filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that the acquittal undermines efforts to combat terrorism and seeking to have the convictions reinstated.

The case, which stems from coordinated bombings on Mumbai’s suburban rail network that killed over 180 people and injured more than 700, is now poised for further legal scrutiny at the national level.

Mumbai: During the period 15th-20th July, the officers at Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs, Zone-III, made a remarkable seizure of suspected NDPS (hydroponic weed) weighing 7.318 kg and 99 bottles of 100ml each cough syrup containing codeine phosphate across 04 cases. 04 persons were Arrested. 

Highlights of the case: 

(14/15.07.2025) 

Case 1. On the basis of profiling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport , Mumbai Customs, Zone – III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and recovered 610 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(15/16.07.2025) 

Case 2. On the basis of profiling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and Recovered 5256 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the check-in baggage carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(16/17.07.2025) 

Case 3. On the basis of Specific Intel, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai and Recovered 1452 grams of hydroponic weed. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the trolley bag carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

(19/20.07.2025) 

Case 4. On the basis of information received, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone -III intercepted 01 passenger departing from Mumbai to Riyadh and recovered 99 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine phosphate as its constituent. The smuggled goods were concealed inside the check-in baggage carried by the passenger. 01 passenger was arrested under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

To enhance traffic safety and monitoring, a total of 236 CCTV cameras with different advanced features have been activated across the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (South). This ambitious project, named Dharmveer Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South), was developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and is being gradually opened to traffic in phases.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Real-Time Accident Alerts: In case of accidents on the coastal road, the cameras immediately alert the control room, enabling swift assistance to the victims.
• Speed Monitoring: The system also records data on vehicles that exceed speed limits.
• Traffic Analysis: Daily vehicle counts, types of vehicles, and traffic flow trends are monitored to improve management and planning.

The project aims to offer fast, convenient, and safe transport options for Mumbaikars. The road stretches from *Shamaldas Gandhi Marg (Princess Street Flyover) to the Worli end of the Worli-Bandra Sea Link, covering *10.58 km. Traffic has now been opened in both directions, and various types of CCTV cameras have been installed along the entire stretch for enhanced safety.

Camera Types and Their Functions:

1. Video Incident Detection Cameras (VIDC)
   Installed every 50 meters in both twin tunnels of the coastal road, 154 VIDC cameras automatically detect incidents like car crashes or wrong-way driving and notify the control room immediately.
2. PTZ Surveillance Cameras
   A total of 71 Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras are installed for general traffic surveillance. These cameras can rotate, tilt, and zoom, and the built-in VIDS (Video Incident Detection System) automatically focuses on accident scenes.
3. ATCC Cameras (Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification)
   These 4 cameras are placed at the entry and exit points of the tunnels to count and classify vehicles entering and exiting.
4. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras
   7 cameras have been installed to identify vehicles violating speed limits. These cameras capture photographs and record license plate numbers of speeding vehicles. Enhanced Traffic Management:

Due to frequent complaints from locals regarding over-speeding, illegal racing, and noise pollution, the BMC and Mumbai Traffic Police expect these surveillance cameras to help enforce traffic rules more effectively.

Now that the system is fully operational, the BMC plans to keep the highway open 24/7. The administration appeals to all motorists using the Mumbai Coastal Road to strictly follow traffic rules to ensure safety for all.

This integrated surveillance system is proving to be a major step forward in preventing potential accidents and ensuring immediate emergency response on one of Mumbai’s most significant infrastructure developments.