Special NIA Court Cites Lack of Evidence, Says “Suspicion Not Enough” in 2008 Malegaon Bombing Verdict
Nearly 17 years after a deadly blast rocked Maharashtra’s Malegaon, a special NIA court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and ex-army officer Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit. The court ruled that suspicion alone was not sufficient to prove guilt under the law.
📍 What Happened in 2008?
- Date & Location: September 29, 2008, near Bhikku Chowk, Malegaon – a communally sensitive town about 200 km from Mumbai.
- Incident: A powerful low-intensity bomb exploded during the holy month of Ramzan.
- Casualties: Six people were killed, and over 100 were injured.
👥 Who Were the Accused?
Seven individuals were charged under anti-terror laws and sections of the IPC:
- Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur – Former BJP MP
- Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit – Army intelligence officer at the time
- Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay
- Ajay Rahirkar
- Sudhakar Dwivedi
- Sudhakar Chaturvedi
- Sameer Kulkarni
All faced serious charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, and promoting communal hatred. They had been out on bail for several years.
⚖️ The Court’s Verdict
- Investigation Agencies:
The case was initially investigated by Maharashtra ATS, led by Hemant Karkare. Later, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case in 2011. - Prosecution Argument:
The prosecution claimed that the blast was a conspiracy by Hindu extremists and that the motorcycle used was linked to Pragya Thakur. - Court’s Observation:
- The court accepted that the blast occurred.
- However, it said the NIA failed to prove the bomb was planted on the motorcycle.
- The judge noted that suspicion alone cannot lead to conviction, and there was insufficient material evidence to establish a conspiracy.
📚 Background Timeline
- 2008: Blast kills 6 in Malegaon. ATS initiates probe.
- 2009: Initial chargesheet filed by ATS.
- 2011: Case transferred to NIA.
- 2016: NIA drops MCOCA charges.
- 2018–2023: Trial proceeds with over 320 witnesses.
- April 2025: Arguments concluded. Verdict reserved.
- July 31, 2025: All accused acquitted.
🔍 Key Highlights
- Over 10,000 pages of evidence were submitted.
- 323 prosecution and 8 defence witnesses were examined.
- Nearly 40 witnesses turned hostile.
- The case spanned five judges and 17 years of legal proceedings.
🗣️ Political and Legal Impact
The Malegaon case has long been at the intersection of law, politics, and ideology in India:
- It sparked debate around the term “Hindu terror”, with political parties using it as a point of contention.
- Sadhvi Pragya’s election to Parliament became a lightning rod in national politics.
- The verdict is expected to have far-reaching implications on the way terror investigations are conducted and politicized in India.
📌 Conclusion
The Malegaon blast trial, one of India’s longest and most contentious terror trials, has concluded with the acquittal of all accused. The court has underscored the importance of hard evidence over conjecture, leaving behind a complex legacy of law, politics, and investigative scrutiny.
Also Read : Malegaon Blast Verdict Today, 17 Years After Deadly Terror Attack
