Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court on Thursday acquitted all six convicts previously convicted in the 2004 bomb blast in Assam's Dhemaji, which claimed 18 lives, including 13 schoolchildren, and left 40 injured, during Independence Day celebrations.

The proscribed outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) had claimed responsibility for the blast.

The six convicts had been sentenced in 2019 by the Dhemaji District and Sessions Court.

The acquittal has sparked disappointment among the families of the victims.

The Gauhati High Court's decision was based on granting the benefit of the doubt to the accused, acknowledging that while their involvement was not disproven, criminal guilt must be established beyond reasonable doubt.

The defence counsel, Abhijit Khanikar, said that the prosecution failed to meet this standard in the case.

The convicts had challenged the verdict in the high court. "The Gauhati High Court said the six convicts have been acquitted on the grounds of benefit of the doubt. The court didn't say they were not involved but, in criminal cases, guilt has to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution failed to do that in this case," said the accused's counsel, Abhijit Khanikar.

One family member expressed their dismay, expressing their anticipation for justice. Another relative questioned the swiftness of the acquittal, as the lower court had declared the convicts guilty just three years before, leading to doubts about whether justice had truly been served.