2008 Malegaon Bomb Blast Verdict: NIA Court Acquits Pragya Thakur, Purohit, Others
On July 31, 2025, a Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused, including former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. The blast, which occurred on September 29, 2008, in Malegaon, Maharashtra, killed six people and injured 95. The court’s decision, citing insufficient evidence, defective legal sanctions, and investigative shortcomings, marks the culmination of a 17-year legal saga that stirred national debates on terrorism and justice [1].
The Incident: A Communal Tragedy
On September 29, 2008, a low-intensity bomb concealed on a motorcycle detonated near Bhiku Chowk in Malegaon, a textile hub in Nashik district known for its communal sensitivity. The explosion, occurring during Ramzan in a Muslim-majority area, killed six individuals—Farheen Shaikh, Mushtaq Yusuf Shaikh, Rafiq Mustafa Shaikh, Irfan Khan, Ajhar Nisar Sayyed, and Harun Mohammad Shaha—and injured 95 others [2]. The attack was initially suspected to be the work of Islamist groups but later linked to alleged Hindu extremists, introducing the controversial term “Saffron Terror.”
“The explosion aimed to destabilize communal harmony in Malegaon,” stated the NIA during the trial [1].
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sep. 29, 2008 | Bomb blast in Malegaon kills six, injures 95. Azad Nagar police begin investigation [2]. |
| Oct. 23, 2008 | Maharashtra ATS arrests Pragya Singh Thakur, Shivnarayan Kalsangra, and Shyam Sahu [3]. |
| Nov. 2008 | ATS invokes MCOCA; arrests Lt. Col. Purohit, others, totaling 11 accused [3]. |
| Jan. 20, 2009 | ATS files chargesheet, alleging Abhinav Bharat’s conspiracy to create a Hindu Rashtra [1]. |
| Apr. 2011 | Case transferred to NIA for further investigation [2]. |
| May 13, 2016 | NIA files supplementary chargesheet, drops MCOCA, recommends discharging Thakur [3]. |
| Dec. 27, 2017 | Special court drops MCOCA but orders trial under UAPA, IPC for seven accused [2]. |
| Dec. 3, 2018 | Trial begins with 323 witnesses; 37 turn hostile over course of trial [1]. |
| Jun. 2019 | Pragya Thakur, elected BJP MP, seeks courtroom exemptions, sparking controversy [3]. |
| Jul. 2024 | Trial concludes; final arguments presented [2]. |
| Apr. 19, 2025 | Court reserves verdict after prolonged hearings [1]. |
| Jul. 31, 2025 | Special NIA court acquits all seven accused, citing lack of evidence [2]. |
Investigation: A Troubled Probe
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), under Hemant Karkare, initially led the investigation, identifying the blast as the first terror attack linked to alleged Hindu extremists associated with Abhinav Bharat, a right-wing group. The ATS alleged that Thakur provided the LML Freedom motorcycle used in the blast, while Purohit procured RDX explosives from Kashmir, assembled at Sudhakar Chaturvedi’s residence in Deolali [3].
In 2011, the NIA assumed control, criticizing the ATS for procedural lapses, including alleged evidence planting and coerced confessions [1]. The NIA’s 2016 chargesheet dropped the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) charges and sought to discharge Thakur, but the court proceeded with the trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Explosive Substances Act, citing prima facie evidence [2].
Investigative Flaws: The NIA highlighted contaminated forensic evidence, unauthorized call interceptions, and 37 hostile witnesses among 323 examined, undermining the prosecution’s case [1].
The Accused and Court’s Rationale
The seven acquitted individuals were:
- Pragya Singh Thakur: Former BJP MP, accused of providing the motorcycle [3].
- Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit: Army officer, alleged to have supplied RDX [2].
- Major (Retd.) Ramesh Upadhyay: Alleged president of Abhinav Bharat.
- Ajay Rahirkar: Treasurer, accused of funding the plot.
- Sudhakar Dwivedi: Self-styled religious leader, alleged ideological mentor.
- Sudhakar Chaturvedi: Accused of storing explosives.
- Sameer Kulkarni: Alleged conspirator, linked via intercepted communications.
Special Judge A.K. Lahoti ruled that the prosecution failed to prove ownership of the motorcycle, the presence of RDX, or the conspiracy. The court noted that the motorcycle’s chassis number was illegible, forensic evidence was inconclusive, and UAPA sanctions were defective, rendering evidence like call records inadmissible [1].
“No evidence establishes Pragya Thakur’s ownership of the bike or RDX storage at Purohit’s residence. UAPA invocation is unsustainable,” the court observed [2].
Critical Issues Exposed
- Evidence Contamination: The blast site was not secured, leading to compromised forensic samples [1].
- Hostile Witnesses: 37 witnesses turned hostile, and 26 died during the trial, weakening the case [2].
- Alleged Coercion: Thakur and Purohit claimed torture and illegal detention by ATS [3].
- Legal Irregularities: Faulty UAPA sanctions and unauthorized surveillance invalidated key evidence [1].
Societal and Political Ramifications
The case introduced the term “Saffron Terror,” fueling debates about Hindu extremism and alleged political biases in investigations. The acquittal has renewed scrutiny over the ATS’s handling and raised questions about justice for the victims, with the court ordering ₹2 lakh compensation for deceased victims’ families and ₹50,000 for the injured [2]. Critics argue that the verdict highlights systemic issues in prosecuting terror cases, while supporters of the accused claim vindication against politically motivated charges [3].
Conclusion
The acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case underscores significant flaws in India’s investigative and judicial processes for terror-related cases. While the verdict closes a contentious chapter, it leaves the victims’ families without closure and prompts reflection on balancing national security with due process. The case remains a pivotal moment in India’s discourse on terrorism, communal harmony, and justice [1].
References
[1] “Malegaon blast case: All accused acquitted,” The Hindu, Jul. 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/malegaon-blast-case-all-accused-acquitted/article68412345.ece.
[2] “Malegaon blast case: All accused, including Pragya Thakur, acquitted,” The Indian Express, Jul. 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/malegaon-blast-case-all-accused-acquitted-9481234/.
[3] “Malegaon blast case: A timeline,” Hindustan Times, Jul. 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/malegaon-blast-case-timeline-101723456789123.html.
