All Accused Acquitted in 2008 Malegaon Blast Verdict
A Special NIA Court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven individuals charged in connection with the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit. The verdict, delivered on July 31, 2025, brings an end to a legal saga that spanned nearly 17 years and resulted in six deaths and over 100 injuries.
The court found that while the explosion was confirmed, the prosecution failed to establish key elements of the case. Judges ruled that there was no conclusive evidence linking the explosive-laden motorcycle to Pragya Thakur, nor proof that RDX was stored or assembled at Purohit’s residence. Forensic reports were deemed inconclusive, and critical sanction orders under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were flawed, rendering those charges inapplicable.
Justice A K Lahoti emphasized that criminal conviction must rest on incontrovertible evidence, not speculation. He noted that mere suspicion cannot substitute for proof, and due process had not been followed in many investigatory procedures. The court also acknowledged discrepancies in injury counts and medical documentation related to the blast.
Other acquitted parties include Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni. The ruling highlights recurring judicial scrutiny of investigative methods, particularly criticisms of Maharashtra’s Anti‑Terrorism Squad and NIA procedures in both the 2006 and 2008 Malegaon cases.
In a nod to the victims, the court directed relief payments of ₹2 lakh to the families of deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. The judgement has sparked strong reactions—supporters of Pragya Thakur welcome the decision as justice served, while critics argue it exposes institutional lapses and politicized prosecution.
The official verdict marks a significant moment in India’s counterterror legal framework, raising questions about agency conduct, evidence handling, and the invocation of anti-terror laws. Now acquitted, the individuals face no further charges in this case.
