Pragya Thakur, 6 others acquitted in Malegaon blast case; ‘can’t convict on moral evidence’: NIA court
Special Judge AK Lahoti flagged several loopholes in the prosecution's case and the investigation carried out, and said the accused persons deserved the benefit of doubt
A special NIA court on Thursday (July 31) acquitted all the seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and former Army officer Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit in the September 2008 Malegaon blasts case in which six persons were killed and 101 others injured.
Special Judge AK Lahoti, assigned to hear cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), flagged several loopholes in the prosecution's case and the investigation carried out, and said the accused persons deserved the benefit of doubt.
The judge, while reading out the judgement, said there was no "reliable and cogent" evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were not applicable to the case, the court said.
The court also said that it was not established that the motorbike used in the blast was registered in the name of Thakur, as claimed by the prosecution. It has also not been established that the blast was carried out by the bomb allegedly planted on the bike, the court said.
“The court has come to the conclusion that the injured people were not 101 but 95 only, and there was manipulation in some medical certificates,” the court ruled.
Seven accused, including BJP leader and former MP Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni faced trial in the case.
The charges comprised UAPA sections 16 (committing terrorist act) and 18 (conspiring to commit terrorist act) and various IPC sections, including 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153 (a) (promoting enmity between two religious groups).
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which conducted the probe into the case, has sought "commensurate punishment" for the accused.
The trial, which started in 2018, got over on April 19, 2025, and the case was reserved for judgement.
The explosive device, allegedly strapped to a motorcycle, detonated near a mosque on September 29, 2008.
The blast took place during the holy month of Ramzan, just before the Navratri festival, the NIA pointed out, claiming the intention of the accused was to strike terror in a section of the Muslim community.
The case was initially probed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) before being transferred to the NIA in 2011.
Also read related Malegaon stories:
Maharashtra: Judge conducting trial in 2008 Malegaon blast case transferred
Malegaon blast case: Pragya, two other accused exempted from court appearance
Malegaon blast: Pragya Thakur’s plea rejected; asked to be present in court
Malegaon blast case: Another witness turns hostile; says forced to name Yogi
Pragya appears in NIA court, says didn't know about Malegaon blast
Pragya was stripped, beaten by Karkare: Malegaon blast case accused
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Live Updates
- 31 July 2025 5:06 PM IST
Malegaon verdict debunks bid to link Hindu community with terrorism: RSS
Following the NIA court’s acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said the verdict exposes the baselessness of efforts to link the Hindu community and Hindu Dharma with terrorism.
Welcoming the court's verdict, he alleged that such organisations driven by political selfishness, personal interests, and malice tried to defame the Hindu community.
- 31 July 2025 4:36 PM IST
'This is a verdict, not justice': Sudhakar Chaturvedi on Malegaon blast acquittal
Reacting to the NIA court’s acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Sudhakar Chaturvedi — one of the acquitted — said the ruling was a "verdict, not justice," emphasizing that he was wrongfully implicated. He stated the judgment proves he was deliberately framed and also said that "saffron" had been unjustly associated with terrorism, and its vindication in court marked a symbolic victory.
- 31 July 2025 4:31 PM IST
Pragya Thakur's sister celebrates Malegaon blast verdict with sweets
Pragya Thakur's sister Upma Singh celebrates with sweets after NIA Court acquits Sadhvi Pragya, one of the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.
- 31 July 2025 4:29 PM IST
Malegaon verdict exposes Congress, Hindus can never be terrorists: Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
Spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya hailed the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case and said that the verdict has exposed Congress.
He accused the party of failing to produce evidence and urged the acquitted individuals to file a collective defamation suit against Congress.
Emphasising that Hindus have never been terrorists, he pointed to history as proof.
- 31 July 2025 4:21 PM IST
Right-wing group celebrates Malegaon verdict in Pune, says ‘saffron terror’ propaganda failed
A right-wing outfit celebrated the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on Thursday (July 31) by bursting crackers in Pune and asserting the Congress' propaganda of "saffron terror" had been stopped by the verdict.
"The Congress government propagated the term 'Bhagwa Atankwad' (saffron terror), but the court, while acquitting all the accused on Thursday, put a full stop to that narrative," said Swapnil Naik, a member of the outfit.
"The court has underscored that a Hindu can never be a terrorist. Once he (Lt Col Puroht) returns to Pune, we will accord him a grand welcome," Naik added.
- 31 July 2025 3:55 PM IST
Malegaon verdict is a strong blow to the Congress's 'Hindu terrorism' narrative: Uttarakhand CM
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the NIA court's acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, calling it a decisive blow to the Congress’s narrative of "Hindu terrorism."
He accused the party of maligning saints, patriots, and Sanatan culture by propagating the idea of "saffron terror" for political gain.
Dhami said the verdict has exposed Congress's sin and demanded a national apology from the party.
- 31 July 2025 3:50 PM IST
Judiciary must be respected, Malegaon verdict based on evidence: Praful Patel
Reacting to the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, NCP MP Praful Patel said the judiciary’s decision should be respected.
He emphasised that the courts are a vital pillar of the Constitution and would have examined all evidence before arriving at their judgment.
Patel refrained from political commentary, underscoring faith in the legal process.
- 31 July 2025 3:48 PM IST
Malegaon verdict sparks celebrations at acquitted accused Shyam Sahu’s home
Celebrations at the residence of Shyam Sahu, who was already acquitted in the Malegaon Blast Case, following a special NIA court acquitting all the accused in the case today.
- 31 July 2025 3:46 PM IST
Wrong to associate a religion with terrorism, ideology of Godse unacceptable: Congress leader Jaivardhan Singh
Reacting to the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Congress leader Jaivardhan Singh emphasized that terrorism should not be associated with any religion.
Clarifying his stance, he said he has never used the term "Bhagwa terror" and believes it's incorrect to tie saffron symbolism to acts of violence.
Singh added that while court verdicts must be respected, ideologies inspired by Nathuram Godse should never be honoured or respected in Indian society.
