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News18
5 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Mumbai Blasts To 2G Scam: Challenges That Explain Prosecution Failures In Criminal Cases
The acquittal of all 12 accused in the Mumbai train blasts case is not just a legal outcome—it is a mirror to our broken criminal justice system The acquittal of all 12 convicts in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case by the Bombay High Court on July 21 has stunned the nation. The devastating attacks, which claimed 189 lives and injured over 800, led to a trial court convicting the accused in 2015. But the higher court overturned that verdict, citing the prosecution's failure to present credible evidence. This case reflects a broader trend in India's criminal justice system—prosecutions in high-profile terror cases and other serious crimes often collapse due to weak evidence, procedural delays, and political interference, leaving victims and the public disillusioned. There are legal and political factors behind these failures. Drawing on the Mumbai case, the 2G spectrum scandal, and systemic trends, one can understand why convictions often remain elusive. Robust evidence is the foundation of any successful prosecution, yet criminal cases in the country often stumble here. In the Mumbai train blasts case, the Bombay High Court flagged unreliable witnesses, flawed identification parades, and inadmissible confessions allegedly extracted through torture. The prosecution couldn't even specify what type of bombs were used—an indicator of unpreparedness. This evidentiary fragility is not limited to terror cases. For instance, in the 2017 2G spectrum case, all accused, including A Raja and K Kanimozhi, were acquitted because the CBI failed to produce sufficient documents or reliable witnesses after years of investigation. A 2019 Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy report reinforces this view, citing uncorroborated testimonies and coerced confessions as recurring issues. Courts demand strong, verifiable proof—when agencies rely on shaky foundations, acquittals become inevitable. Another chronic flaw is the lack of a comprehensive witness protection law. Witnesses often retract statements or refuse to testify due to fear of reprisal. The Supreme Court has repeatedly flagged this issue, noting that laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) offer only limited protection. In cases involving organised crime, threats from powerful syndicates further weaken the prosecution. Strengthening evidence collection and ensuring witness safety are thus essential reforms. Procedural delays and systemic inefficiencies The nation's criminal justice system is bogged down by procedural delays and inefficiencies, which undermine even the strongest cases. Investigations often involve multiple agencies, causing coordination failures. The 2002 Akshardham attack case is a clear example—the Supreme Court, in 2014, criticised the investigation's lack of diligence after a series of handovers between agencies. Special courts, meant to fast-track serious crime trials, often share space with regular courts, creating backlogs. The Vidhi report points out that even high-profile cases under UAPA or MCOCA languish for years due to overburdened dockets and limited resources. The Mumbai train blasts case, for instance, took nearly two decades to reach a final verdict—long enough for evidence to degrade and witness recollections to fade. Laws like UAPA permit prolonged pre-charge detention—up to 180 days, compared to 24 hours under the Criminal Procedure Code. Agencies sometimes detain suspects without building strong cases, assuming that the legal process itself serves as punishment. But once cases reach higher courts, judges scrutinise them more rigorously, often leading to acquittals, as seen in the Mumbai case. Better agency coordination and court infrastructure are key to reducing delays and improving outcomes. Judicial scepticism and the misuse of stringent laws The country has stringent laws—like the now-defunct TADA, repealed POTA, UAPA, and Maharashtra's MCOCA—to empower law enforcement against terror and organised crime. But when misapplied, they often lead to prosecution failures. In the Mumbai case, the prosecution leaned heavily on MCOCA, but the High Court found the supporting evidence too weak, resulting in acquittals. The Vidhi report highlights that POTA Review Committees found no prima facie evidence in 1,006 out of 1,529 cases by 2005—indicating misuse. Under Section 43D(5) of UAPA, bail is denied if courts see any reasonable ground for guilt. This leads to prolonged detentions without trial. However, higher courts remain wary of overreach. For example, in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case, all 39 accused were acquitted due to a lack of evidence beyond coerced confessions. Judicial scepticism is widespread, even in financial scam cases, where agencies detain suspects but fail to produce solid evidence. Judges play a key role—no matter how stringent the law, a judge's discretion determines its application. When evidence is weak, courts hesitate to convict, especially in an era where judicial outlooks are influenced by liberal constitutional values. The perception that the legal process is the punishment has become more entrenched. Agencies may use long detentions to pressure suspects, but without credible evidence, courts intervene—leading to collapses like that of the Mumbai case. Thus, the focus must return to meticulous evidence collection and responsible application of law. Political interference and federal tensions Political dynamics often complicate criminal prosecutions. Federalism-based conflicts between the Centre and states delay investigations. Agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) require state cooperation. The controversial National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) proposal failed after 14 states opposed it, citing threats to federal autonomy. Similarly, Gujarat's 2015 GCTOC Bill was delayed due to a lack of Presidential assent, stalling state-level efforts. Political alignments can also shape outcomes. The 2G spectrum case offers a telling example. On December 21, 2017, a special CBI court in New Delhi acquitted all accused—including A Raja and K. Kanimozhi—calling the case baseless. The court noted that despite one and a half years of waiting, the CBI failed to bring in evidence or witnesses. Judge OP Saini expressed frustration, saying the agency 'couldn't care less". This came at a time when the DMK appeared poised for a resurgence after J Jayalalithaa's death, while the BJP, with actor Rajinikanth hesitating to join politics, seemed to seek renewed ties with M Karunanidhi—its one-time ally during the Vajpayee era. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had even been photographed with Karunanidhi's family just months before the verdict. Was the CBI 'nudged" to go soft on DMK leaders? Media trials further complicate matters. In high-profile cases, widespread coverage often convinces the public that an accused is guilty long before a court weighs the evidence. But judges—aware of media excesses—may be repelled by aggressive reportage, affecting their outlook. Public perception, shaped by these narratives, pushes agencies to act fast, sometimes cutting corners. But legal outcomes depend on facts, not headlines. Reducing political interference and improving Centre-state coordination are vital to restoring integrity in prosecutions. Legal representation and the prosecution-defence gap The outcome of trials often hinges on the quality of legal representation. There's a stark imbalance between well-resourced defence lawyers and overburdened or undertrained state prosecutors. To fix this, the nation must invest in the training and independence of public prosecutors. Only then can they counter the skill and strategy of top defence lawyers. Road ahead: Reforming the system The acquittal of all 12 accused in the Mumbai train blasts case is not just a legal outcome—it is a mirror to our broken criminal justice system. Evidentiary lapses, systemic delays, misuse of harsh laws, political meddling, and lopsided legal representation all contribute to failed prosecutions. These failures cut across terror cases, corruption scandals, and violent crimes, leaving victims without closure and eroding public faith in the system. Reforms are urgent. Investigative agencies need better training. Witness protection laws must be enacted. Court infrastructure must expand to reduce backlogs. Political interference must be checked by preserving institutional autonomy. And prosecution teams must be strengthened to ensure fair competition in the courtroom. top videos View all Justice in India cannot remain hostage to inefficiencies and influence. A legal system that upholds fairness, efficiency, and accountability is the only way to deliver justice—and restore faith that those behind mass killings, like the Mumbai train blasts, will face the consequences of their crimes. The author is a senior journalist and writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Bombay High Court judiciary justice Mumbai train blasts view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 18:45 IST News opinion Opinion | Mumbai Blasts To 2G Scam: Challenges That Explain Prosecution Failures In Criminal Cases Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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Hans India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TN BJP to protest on July 1 demanding action against DMK MP Raja's 'uncivil' remarks
Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Sunday announced statewide protests on July 1 to condemn what he called the crude and uncivil language used by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP A. Raja against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a recent public meeting. The BJP state president reminded reporters that A. Raja had spent time in Delhi's Tihar Jail as a prime accused in the 2G spectrum allotment case, which the Comptroller and Auditor General once estimated to have caused a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer. Although Raja was acquitted by a trial court in 2017, appeals filed by federal agencies remain pending before the Delhi High Court. "Someone who has faced such serious charges should show greater humility, not hurl insults at constitutional authorities," the BJP leader said. Nagendran accused the ruling DMK of "turning a blind eye" to repeated instances of intemperate speech by its senior functionaries. "If the ruling party thinks it can speak without accountability, it is mistaken. Vitriol erodes democratic values and breeds public resentment," he warned, urging Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to rein in party colleagues. Under the schedule announced, seven parallel demonstrations will be held - one in each of the police districts carved out of the Chennai metropolitan area. Senior state office-bearers, district presidents and heads of the party's frontal organisations will lead the rallies, which are expected to draw "several thousand" workers, supporters and members of the public. Petitions demanding legal proceedings against A. Raja will be submitted to local authorities at every venue. The BJP has already lodged a formal complaint with the Chennai Police Commissioner, seeking registration of a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Nainar Nagendran hinted at an "escalated agitation calendar" if no action follows. "Should the DMK persist with this anarchic style, the BJP will be forced to mount sustained protests," he said. DMK leaders were not immediately available for comment at the time of filing this report.
Economic Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Tale of Sun and sons: All about the Maran brothers and their link to 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi
A dispute between the Maran brothers, Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi, has resurfaced. Dayanidhi Maran accuses Kalanidhi Maran of financial crimes related to Sun TV. He demands the restoration of Sun TV's original shareholding. Sun TV denies these allegations, calling them misleading and defamatory. The Maran brothers are related to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Kalanidhi Maran How Maran brothers are connected to Karunanidhi The 22-year-old alleged feud between the powerful Maran brothers is in the limelight after DMK Lok Sabha MP Dayanidhi Maran accused his brother Kalanidhi Maran of "financial crimes," and asked him to restore the entire shareholding position of Sun TV and related companies to their original state or face legal and regulatory action. The allegations, however, have been denied by the Sun TV through a stock exchange per ET's report, the timing of the alleged transaction coincided with the death of the brothers' father, former Union minister Murasoli Maran. Dayanidhi's contention is that Kalanithi used this opportunity to gain 60% control in the company, up from zero. without informing or consulting the other key stakeholder, MK Dayalu, wife of Karunanidhi, who was representing the Maran, born on December 5, 1966, in Tamil Nadu's Kumbakonam, is a seasoned Indian politician and son of the late Union Minister Murasoli Maran. He pursued a B.A. in Economics from Loyola College, DMK MP married Priya, who belongs to the family that owns and publishes The first entered the political field through Lok Sabha polls of 2004 and has since served multiple terms. His ministerial stints include serving as the Union Cabinet Minister for Communications and Information Technology (2004–2007) and later for Textiles (2009–2011). Re-elected to the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019 and again in 2024 to the 18th Lok Sabha, he is currently a member of several key parliamentary committees including the Committees on Home Affairs, Estimates, and Business his tenure was also marred by his alleged role in the 2G scam case. The CBI had alleged that Dayanidhi Maran, during the check period of June 2004 to December 2006, when he was the Union minister for communication and information technology, misused his office and installed a private telephone exchange at his residences in Chennai and used the facility for business transactions involving the Sun Network. It alleged that he had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer. More than 700 telecom lines were installed at their residences in Boat Club and Gopalapuram here, the agency charged. The former minister has been acquitted by the dabbling in his family's modest publishing business, the older Maran brother launched now worth Rs 23,000-crore Sun TV Network in 1993. Over the years, the Sun has turned into a regional television heavyweight with 37 channels reaching more than 140 million households in Maran holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Madras, Chennai and MBA from Scranton University, Pennsylvania, started the Tamil Sun TV channel in 1993 and built it into a sprawling media giant, encompassing multiple TV channels in south Indian languages as well as a film production house, taking advantage of connections with the state establishment, industry watchers told married Kavery Maran, and they have a daughter, Kavya Maran, who is the head of the IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad and South Africa's SA20 team, Sunrisers Eastern Marans were grandnephew of Karunanidhi, who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for almost two decades. The reason behind Dayanidhi's entry in the cabinet has also been linked to Karunanidhi. It was seen that loved his nephew and Maran's father, Murasoli Maran, as much as his sons and that prompted the DMK leader to make Maran's younger son Dayanidhi a minister at the Centre in 2004 and who completed 50 years as DMK chief in July, was among the few regional political chieftains who had been key decision-makers in national politics. Having won elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly 13 times, Karunanidhi held the rare record of not having lost a poll since his first electoral victory in 1957. He was chief minister of the state five times.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN) on Substack by Silba. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on ITRN. Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN)'s share was trading at $37.82 as of May 16th. ITRN's trailing P/E was 14.01 according to Yahoo Finance. A technician at a workstation, soldering electronic components for vehicle tracking devices. In the mid-1990s, Tel Aviv's rampant vehicle theft created a costly burden of insurance premiums and losses. Izzy and Eyal Sheratzky, leveraging their background in insurance investigations, acquired advanced but underutilized military-grade tracking technology and transformed it by pioneering a subscription-based leasing model. This shift from costly upfront hardware sales to affordable, recurring monthly fees established an early 'Security-as-a-Service' business, turning a major theft issue into a predictable and scalable revenue stream. As their network expanded across Israeli cities, theft rates declined due to deterrence and network effects, while partnerships with insurance companies and banks reduced customer acquisition costs, accelerating growth. Rebranded as Ituran, the company strategically focused on Latin America—particularly Brazil and Argentina—where high crime rates and a growing middle class drove urgent demand for vehicle security. Brazil alone accounted for about 25% of revenues by 2024. Ituran's vertically integrated model, which includes manufacturing, installation, and physical vehicle recovery, set it apart from competitors offering primarily software solutions. Financially, Ituran's 2.4 million subscribers generated $336 million in revenue with 7% growth in 2024, supported by strong subscription gross margins near 59% and EBITDA margins around 27%. The company's balance sheet is healthy with over $77 million net cash and minimal debt, aided by a favorable cash conversion cycle that effectively uses 'other people's money' to fund operations. Ituran commands roughly 80% market share in Israel backed by government pricing and installer certification monopolies, while Brazil offers growth despite tighter margins. Challenges include costly hardware upgrades from the 2G shutdown and risks of partners internalizing services. Despite these, Ituran is evolving into a high-growth subscription business with accelerating subscriber gains, operating leverage, and a clear path to $100 million EBITDA, positioning it for a potential valuation rerating as the market recognizes its unique growth and resilient cash flow model. Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 15 hedge fund portfolios held ITRN at the end of the fourth quarter which was 12 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of ITRN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ITRN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN) on Substack by Silba. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on ITRN. Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN)'s share was trading at $37.82 as of May 16th. ITRN's trailing P/E was 14.01 according to Yahoo Finance. A technician at a workstation, soldering electronic components for vehicle tracking devices. In the mid-1990s, Tel Aviv's rampant vehicle theft created a costly burden of insurance premiums and losses. Izzy and Eyal Sheratzky, leveraging their background in insurance investigations, acquired advanced but underutilized military-grade tracking technology and transformed it by pioneering a subscription-based leasing model. This shift from costly upfront hardware sales to affordable, recurring monthly fees established an early 'Security-as-a-Service' business, turning a major theft issue into a predictable and scalable revenue stream. As their network expanded across Israeli cities, theft rates declined due to deterrence and network effects, while partnerships with insurance companies and banks reduced customer acquisition costs, accelerating growth. Rebranded as Ituran, the company strategically focused on Latin America—particularly Brazil and Argentina—where high crime rates and a growing middle class drove urgent demand for vehicle security. Brazil alone accounted for about 25% of revenues by 2024. Ituran's vertically integrated model, which includes manufacturing, installation, and physical vehicle recovery, set it apart from competitors offering primarily software solutions. Financially, Ituran's 2.4 million subscribers generated $336 million in revenue with 7% growth in 2024, supported by strong subscription gross margins near 59% and EBITDA margins around 27%. The company's balance sheet is healthy with over $77 million net cash and minimal debt, aided by a favorable cash conversion cycle that effectively uses 'other people's money' to fund operations. Ituran commands roughly 80% market share in Israel backed by government pricing and installer certification monopolies, while Brazil offers growth despite tighter margins. Challenges include costly hardware upgrades from the 2G shutdown and risks of partners internalizing services. Despite these, Ituran is evolving into a high-growth subscription business with accelerating subscriber gains, operating leverage, and a clear path to $100 million EBITDA, positioning it for a potential valuation rerating as the market recognizes its unique growth and resilient cash flow model. Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (ITRN) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 15 hedge fund portfolios held ITRN at the end of the fourth quarter which was 12 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of ITRN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ITRN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
