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 12:00 PM IST
Who were the 7 accused?
The court has acquitted all the 7 accused. They are: Pragya Thakur, former BJP MP from Bhopal, Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni
- 31 July 2025 11:50 AM IST
Will challenge acquittal of Malegaon bomb blast in HC: Victims’ lawyer
Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing the families of the 2008 Malegaon blast victims, said that it has been proved in court that the bomb blast occurred.
He said that they will challenge the acquittal of all the High Court and will file the appeal independently.
- 31 July 2025 11:46 AM IST
NIA court orders compensation for the victims of Malegaon bomb blast
While pronouncing the verdict in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, the NIA court ordered that the families of all six victims be given Rs 2 lakh each, and all injured victims receive Rs 50,000 as compensation.
- 31 July 2025 11:44 AM IST
We cannot convict anyone merely on perception and moral evidence: NIA court
The NIA judge acquitted all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, citing benefit of doubt and stating that mere suspicion is not sufficient for conviction.
"Terrorism has no religion because no religion can advocate violence. The Court cannot convict anyone merely on perception and moral evidence; there has to be cogent evidence," says the Court
- 31 July 2025 11:41 AM IST
Prosecution failed to prove that the bomb was placed in the motorcycle: NIA court
The Judge says that prosecution proved the blast happened but failed to establish bomb was fitted on the bike.
The court noted that the motorcycle's vehicle identification number was wiped out and the engine number is also under doubt.
The NIA court further added that there is no evidence to show Sadhvi Pragya is the owner and was in possession of the bike.
The court also said that it has come to the conclusion that the injured people were not 101 but 95 only, and there was manipulation in some medical certificates.
- 31 July 2025 11:33 AM IST
All accused have been acquitted in 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case
All accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and prime accused Lt Col Purohit, acquitted of all charges in the 2008 terror case.
