All 7 Accused in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case Acquitted by NIA Court After 17 Years, Citing Lack of Evidence

New Delhi (India) July 31: A special NIA court clears all seven defendants, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit on Thursday. It happens seventeen years after a devastating blast took place in Malegaon, Maharashtra.

Allegations Against Accused Could Not Be Proven

Special Judge AK Lahoti states that the prosecution had not proven the accusations against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. He also adds that a simple suspicion could not advance the case.

The court says, “No sketch of the spot was done by the investigation officer while doing the panchnama. No fingerprint, dump data or anything else was collected for the spot. The samples were contaminated, so the reports can’t be conclusive and are not reliable" about the investigation.

All Accused Acquitted

The special court finds Prasad Purohit, Pragya Thakur, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi also known as Shankaracharya, and Sameer Kulkarni not guilty in the case.

The case was first investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). It was transferred to the NIA in 2011.

According to the ATS, the bomb was a part of a plan by the Abhinav Bharat gang. This was done to take revenge for earlier Muslim atrocities against Hindus.

The motorcycle used in the explosion was owned by Pragya Thakur. He was arrested in 2008. Additionally, it is stated that Lt Col Purohit participated in meetings with Abhinav Bharat. He helped in setting up explosives.

Flaws in Investigation

The court rules that there is no documentation proving Purohit imported RDX and put the device together. Judge Lahoti adds that there was insufficient proof to establish Pragya Thakur's ownership of the car.

According to the court, "The serial number of the chassis was not completely recovered by the forensic experts and, therefore, the prosecution failed to prove that the bike belonged to her." 

Additionally, the court clears Abhinav Bharat. They rule that there was no proof the team was engaged in "terror activity."

The court says, "There is no evidence that Abhinav Bharat was used for terror activity. Material witnesses have not supported the prosecution case. The prosecution has been unsuccessful in proving the meetings took place for conspiracy.”

The court determines that there was manipulation in several medical documents. The injured people were only 95, not 101.

On September 29, 2008, an explosive device attached to a motorcycle exploded in Malegaon. It is a town with a sizable Muslim population. The incident killed six people and injured over 100. It happened during the holy month of Ramadan.

Aadrika Tayal