Mumbai: Abdul Wahid Shaikh, the only accused to be acquitted in the July 11, 2006 train bombings case, was today freed here from high-security Arthur Road jail where he had been lodged for nine years since his arrest.

“Accused no. 8 (Abdul Wahid) is found not guilty of having committed any offences with which he is charged”, special MCOCA court judge Yatin D Shinde had observed while acquitted him yesterday.

In its verdict, the court had held 12 other accused guilty of various charges.

Arguments for the quantum of sentence are likely to begin on Monday.

Shaikh came out of the jail at around 2 PM with moist eyes and was welcomed by his family members.

He had been arrested in September 2006 for allegedly harbouring some of the accused in his house.

Seven RDX bombs had ripped through the first class compartments of as many local trains on western line on July 11, 2006, killing 188 people and injuring 829.

The blasts had occurred within a span of 10 minutes between suburban Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari-Mahim junction, Mira Road- Bhayander, Matunga- Mahim junction and Borivali railway stations.

(PTI)