Mumbai train blasts: Shock, anger among those hurt, families of deceased
MUMBAI: Shock, anger and a sense of futility overcame the families of those who were killed or injured in the 11/7 serial train blasts. Monday's acquittal of all 12 accused prompted them to ask who actually perpetrated the crime, with some remarking sarcastically, 'No one did it!'
Decades of fruitlessness have sealed the lips of Priti Sawant, whose husband, Parag (36), became the face of the tragedy.
Parag died in 2015 after a long spell in coma. Priti is currently employed with Western Railway at Bhayander station but declined comment to TOI, saying she did not wish to relive the trauma. She was an expectant mother in 2006, and her daughter was born after Parag's injury.
Harshal Bhalerao (23) of Vasai was killed in the blast. His mother Saguna said Monday, 'No verdict will bring my son back. But the guilty must be punished.'
Harshal's father, Yashwant, said, 'Not a single victim's family will like this judgment. We have named our bungalow 'Harshal 11/7' after him. He was our only boy, now our daughter takes care of us.' Harshal was on his first day of work in Andheri when he fell victim at Borivli.
Artist Mahendra Pitale lost an arm. He said, 'The order is a massive shock. Is it going to take law enforcement agencies another 19 years to find the real perpetrators?'
Pitale too was given a job by railways.
'My prosthetic limb is very expensive and I have to find sponsors or depend on trusts to be able to afford it,' said Pitale, who has changed prosthetic limbs seven times in the past two decades.
'No one killed 200 people & injured 700...,' tweeted chartered accountant Chirag Chauhan, who had suffered a spinal injury that left his legs and lower body paralysed.
Vishakha Seksaria, sister of Vrindesh, who was killed, said, 'I am unable to digest this news.'
Subhash Saboo said, 'I can never forget that day as my father (Nathmal) was on the train towards Malad and he never made it home.'
Rishi Bobra (38), who spent a month in the ICU, said he had nothing to say on the verdict and had moved ahead.
Garden landscaper Harish Pawar was injured when a train rod pierced his chest. He bubbled over in anger on Monday. 'Why was the evidence that was deemed acceptable by the lower courts for conviction, entirely negated by HC?'
Vasai resident Raniya D'Souza lost her father, Manuel (36), when she was just six and a half. Manuel, a chemical engineer and the sole breadwinner, was killed in the Matunga blast. Raniya is grateful to Western Railway for having granted her a job after graduation. Her younger brother, who was only two and a half at the time, does not have any memories of their father.
Hansraj Kanojia, who lost a leg, demanded reinvestigation. 'If they are being set free today and go on to commit the same crime again, who will take responsibility? The case should be taken to the SC.'
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