Sat Sep 13 02:35:12 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Wahid Deen Mohammad Shaikh, acquitted in 2015 in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, is seeking ₹9 crore in compensation for nine years of wrongful imprisonment. He has appealed to various human rights and minority commissions, citing irreparable damage to his life, career, and family. Shaikh endured torture, family hardship, and social stigma. He earned postgraduate degrees while incarcerated, authored a book about his experience, and now runs an organization helping the wrongly accused. He delayed his compensation claim out of concern for his co-accused but now feels it’s justified given their recent acquittals and the fabricated nature of the case.

**News Article:**

**Wrongfully Imprisoned Man Seeks ₹9 Crore Compensation in Mumbai Train Blasts Case**

**Mumbai, September 13, 2025** – Wahid Deen Mohammad Shaikh, the only individual acquitted in 2015 by a trial court in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, is now demanding ₹9 crore in compensation for nine years of wrongful imprisonment. This follows the Bombay High Court’s recent overturning of the convictions of the other 12 men initially implicated.

Shaikh, who was arrested under MCOCA and spent nearly a decade in Arthur Road Jail before his acquittal, has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant bodies, arguing that his imprisonment caused irreparable damage to his life, dignity, and the well-being of his family.

“The years I lost, the humiliation I faced, and the pain my family endured can never be undone,” Shaikh stated in a press release. He alleges brutal torture in custody, leading to chronic health issues.

A former school teacher, Shaikh remarkably used his time in prison to pursue postgraduate degrees in English literature and law. He also authored “Begunah Qaidi” (Innocent Prisoner), a book documenting his experiences, which later inspired the 2022 film “Haemolymph: Invisible Blood.” Upon his release, he founded the Innocence Network, an organization dedicated to supporting wrongly prosecuted individuals.

Shaikh cited the case of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, who received significant compensation for wrongful arrest, as a precedent. He delayed his compensation claim for a decade out of consideration for his co-accused who remained imprisoned. With their recent acquittals, Shaikh now believes it is clear the entire case was fabricated and that his demand for compensation is justified as recognition of a severe injustice.

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