2008 Malegaon Blast Case: NIA Court Acquits All Seven Accused Including Pragya Thakur and Lt. Col. Purohit

A special NIA court in Mumbai has acquitted all 7 accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the case and the accused deserved the benefit of doubt. The verdict came 17 years after the blast that killed 10 people and injured over 100.

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the case and that the accused deserved the benefit of doubt. The verdict comes nearly 17 years after the blast that killed six people and injured over a hundred.

The blast occurred on September 29, 2008, in Malegaon, a town in Nashik district, Maharashtra. The explosion took place near Bhikku Chowk during the holy month of Ramzan. The investigation initially led by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) under Hemant Karkare eventually transferred to the NIA in 2011.

The court observed that while the prosecution successfully established that a blast occurred in Malegaon, it failed to prove that the bomb was planted in the motorcycle recovered from the scene. The court also noted that there was no evidence to suggest that Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit stored RDX at his residence or assembled the bomb at his house.

The seven accused, including Pragya Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, were out on bail throughout the trial. The court also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 to each injured person.

The verdict marks the conclusion of a long and complex trial that saw numerous dramatic moments and changes in prosecution strategy. The trial, which commenced on December 3, 2018, concluded with the final arguments in April 2025. The case was presided over by five different judges, with the current special judge, A K Lahoti, recently extended by the Bombay High Court until August 31, 2025, to deliver the verdict.

References:
[1] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-bjp-mp-pragya-thakur-ex-army-officer-shrikant-purohit-acquitted-in-2008-malegaon-blast-case-8989710
[2] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/2008-malegaon-blast-case-nia-court-acquit-seven-accused-125073100454_1.html
[3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/2008-malegaon-bomb-blast-case-verdict-special-nia-court-acquits-ex-bjp-mp-pragya-singh-thakur-lt-col-prasad-purohit-and-5-others/articleshow/123008893.cms