Malegaon Blast Case: 17 Years Later, All Accused Acquitted by Special NIA Court

By Hemavathy M N

Mumbai, July 31 – One of India’s most politically charged terror cases has come to an end. After nearly 17 years of investigations, hundreds of hearings, and a trial that divided the nation, the 2008 Malegaon blast case has closed with the complete acquittal of all seven accused — including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit.

Delivering the verdict, the Special NIA Court in Mumbai ruled that the prosecution had failed to present “reliable and legally admissible evidence,” emphasizing that suspicion alone cannot lead to a conviction.

Who Were the Accused?

Along with Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Purohit, the other individuals acquitted are:
• Retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay
• Sameer Kulkarni
• Sudhakar Chaturvedi
• Sudhakar Dwivedi
• Ajay Rahirkar

The Blast That Shook Maharashtra

The case dates back to September 29, 2008, when a motorcycle laden with explosives detonated near Bhikku Chowk in Malegaon, Maharashtra, during the holy month of Ramzan. The blast claimed six lives and left nearly 100 injured.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), then headed by Hemant Karkare, traced the motorcycle to Pragya Singh Thakur, sparking a high-profile investigation. By October 2008, ATS arrested Thakur, Purohit, and others, alleging that the attack was orchestrated by a radical right-wing group called Abhinav Bharat.

Shifting Investigations and Legal Twists

In 2011, the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which dismantled several key findings of the ATS. NIA alleged:
• Forced confessions by the ATS
• Mishandling of evidence
• Possible planting of RDX

These revelations severely weakened the prosecution’s case.

By 2017, both Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Purohit were released on bail. Despite formal charges being framed in 2018, the trial dragged on for years, with over 300 witnesses examined — nearly 40 of whom turned hostile.

Court’s Reasoning for Acquittal

In its final judgment, the Special NIA Court stated:
• No conclusive proof that the motorcycle belonged to Pragya Singh Thakur.
• No direct link between Lt. Col. Purohit and the procurement of explosives.
• Key evidence suffered from poor forensics, missing documents, and contradictory testimonies.

Political Reactions

Reacting to the verdict, Krishna Hegde, former MLA and Shivsena (Shinde faction ) spokesperson shared his views with New Delhi Chronicle. Calling the acquittal “a welcome relief,” he said:

“This case was a political conspiracy by the Congress, which even coined the term ‘Hindu terror’ for its narrative. Today’s verdict has proven that claim wrong. As Home Minister Amit Shah has often said — no Hindu can be a terrorist.”

Seventeen Years, Zero Convictions

From ATS to NIA, from sensational arrests to protracted legal battles, the Malegaon blast case has been at the center of India’s political and judicial discourse.

Now, with this verdict, the chapter is closed: 17 years, multiple agencies, hundreds of hearings — and not a single conviction.