Malegaon Blast Case: All 7 Accused, Including Pragya Thakur and Purohit, Acquitted After 17 Years

New Delhi: In a major development that closes one of India’s most closely watched terror cases, a special NIA court has acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, citing insufficient evidence. The ruling comes nearly 17 years after the blast rocked the communally sensitive town in Maharashtra.

Among those cleared of all charges are BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, who had faced prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and the Indian Penal Code.

The blast took place on September 29, 2008, near Bhikku Chowk mosque in Malegaon, when a motorcycle fitted with explosives detonated during the holy month of Ramzan. Six people were killed and over 100 injured in the explosion, just days ahead of the Navratri festival.

The court announced its verdict in a packed courtroom with all the accused present, following earlier instructions to appear in person. The judge also directed that ₹2 lakh be paid to the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 to those injured.

The case, spanning over one lakh pages, involved extensive legal proceedings and the examination of 323 witnesses—34 of whom turned hostile, significantly weakening the prosecution’s narrative. The final hearings concluded in April this year, with the judgment reserved since April 19.

Originally handled by Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the investigation was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011. The NIA, in its 2016 supplementary charge sheet, dropped some of the key charges against the accused, including the terror-related provisions against Sadhvi Pragya.

Despite facing serious charges including conspiracy and murder, all seven accused were on bail during the trial. The court’s verdict underscores the gaps in the prosecution’s case and brings closure to a trial that has stirred national debate and political controversy over the years.