In a significant judgment, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case due to lack of evidence. Those acquitted include former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, and retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay.
Key Observations by the Court:
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Prosecution Failed to Prove Core Allegations:
The court stated that the prosecution could not establish that the bomb was planted on the motorcycle. No evidence linked Lt Col Purohit to the manufacturing or supply of the explosive.
Furthermore, it was not proven who planted the bomb. -
Evidence Collection Lapses:
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No fingerprints were collected from the blast site.
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The chassis number of the motorcycle was not recovered, and ownership could not be established in the name of Sadhvi Pragya.
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The post-blast site examination (panchnama) was not conducted properly.
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No empty shells were recovered despite claims of firing.
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Neither fingerprints nor DNA samples were collected.
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Issues With Medical Documents:
The court noted inconsistencies and suspected tampering in some medical certificates submitted during the trial. -
Conspiracy Charges Not Proven:
No conclusive evidence was provided to establish Sadhvi Pragya’s possession of the motorcycle.
Alleged conspiratorial meetings in Faridabad, Bhopal, and other locations were not substantiated by any records or testimonies.
Background of the Incident:
On the evening of September 29, 2008, a bomb blast occurred near Bhikku Chowk in Malegaon, Maharashtra, during the holy month of Ramadan and just before Navratri. The explosion killed six people and injured over 100.
The initial investigation was conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), but in 2011, the case was transferred to the NIA.
The Accused and Legal Proceedings:
The seven accused — Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, and Sameer Kulkarni — were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). All were out on bail during the trial.
Final arguments concluded in April 2025, and the court had reserved its judgment. On July 31, 2025, the court acquitted all the accused.
Case Timeline:
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September 29, 2008: Blast in Malegaon kills six, injures over 100.
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October 2008: Sadhvi Pragya arrested by ATS.
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January 2009: ATS files the first chargesheet.
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2011: Case handed over to the NIA.
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2016: NIA files a supplementary chargesheet; some charges dropped, but terror-related charges retained.
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2018: Charges formally framed against all seven accused.
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2018–2023: 323 witnesses examined, 40 turned hostile.
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April 2025: Final arguments concluded, verdict reserved.
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July 31, 2025: Court delivers verdict, acquits all accused.
Political Reactions:
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the acquittal, noting that all accused were cleared after 17 years. He referred to the 2006 Mumbai train blast case where the Maharashtra government appealed to the Supreme Court and asked if a similar appeal would be made in this case. He also raised concerns about the source of military-grade RDX used in the blast and the accountability for those responsible.
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