In a major development, a special NIA court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, including BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit. The verdict was delivered on July 31, 2025, after 17 years of investigation and trial.
The blast took place on September 29, 2008, in the communally sensitive Bhikku Chowk area of Malegaon, Maharashtra. It killed six people and injured over a hundred. The case was initially investigated by the Maharashtra ATS and later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.
While delivering the judgment, the special judge stated that although the blast was proven, the prosecution failed to establish solid and reliable evidence linking the accused to the crime. The court pointed out several weaknesses in the investigation, including the failure to prove that the motorcycle used in the blast belonged to Pragya Thakur. It also said the prosecution could not prove that Lt. Col. Purohit supplied or stored explosives.
The court noted that over 10,800 documents were examined, 323 witnesses were called, and 1,300 pages of written arguments were submitted. However, suspicion alone was not enough for conviction. The court also ruled that charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) could not be applied due to procedural errors, including faulty sanction orders.
The judge emphasized that the prosecution was unable to provide direct or conclusive evidence. As a result, all accused were acquitted of all charges. The court also directed that ₹2 lakh compensation be given to the families of those killed and ₹50,000 to each injured victim.
The verdict has triggered mixed reactions across the country. While some have welcomed the decision as a victory of law, others, especially families of victims, expressed disappointment and frustration, feeling justice was not served even after a long legal battle.
This case has once again raised serious questions about investigative lapses, political influence, and the challenges faced by victims in getting justice in terrorism-related cases in India.
