‘Malegaon Files': Film On 2008 Malegaon Blast Case Announced, To Be Directed By Rajiv S Ruia
'My Friend Ganesha' fame director Rajiv S Ruia will be directing the film, which is currently in the pre-production stage. The cast and crew of the movie have not been revealed yet by the makers.
The film will be produced by Sahil Seth under the banner of Cinedust 18 Films Pvt. Ltd.
According to a press note shared by the makers, the film aims to present a gripping and sensitive portrayal of the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts, which shook the nation and led to a long, complicated legal battle.
"This is not just a story about a blast -- it's about what followed. The human stories, the political shadow, the search for truth, and the emotional and legal turmoil faced by the accused and the victims' families. 'Malegaon Files' is our attempt to bring that reality to the screen," director Rajiv S Ruia, said about the film in the press note.
Ruia told ANI that the film is currently in the pre-production stage and will be shot on real locations.
"Our writer team is in talks. It is a very sensitive subject. Every detail behind it needs to be brought out. Research is going on...99 per cent we will shoot on real locations. We will do recce soon," he said.
According to the press note, the makers stated that the script is being developed with inputs from investigative reports, court documents, and real testimonies to ensure that the narrative remains grounded and respectful.
The film is slated to go on floors by late 2025, with more details about the cast and shooting schedule expected to be revealed soon.
The Malegaon blast tragedy took place on September 29, 2008 in which six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City's Bhikku Chowk.
Originally, 11 people were accused in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against 7, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya.
The Mumbai NIA court on July 31 acquitted all seven accused of being involved in the 2008 blasts in Malegaon, with the court saying the prosecution failed to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The 2008 Malegaon blast case was transferred to the NIA in 2011 from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
After a 17-year-long wait and examination of hundreds of witnesses, the NIA special court acquitted all seven people accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and all other charges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
a minute ago
- Hindustan Times
NIA court frames charges against JeI operatives, trust in fund-raising case
Special judge NIA, J&K, Sandeep Gandotra, framed charges against three individuals and an educational trust for allegedly raising and utilising funds to further the activities of the proscribed organisation Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir (JeI, J&K), in violation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The charges were framed in case RC-07/2022/NIA/JMU, after the NIA found prima facie material under sections 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and sections 10, 13, 20, 22-C, 38, and 39 of the UAPA. (File) The accused include Amir Mohammad Shamsi, of Rehtal village, Rajouri; Abdul Hamid Ganai, alias Abdul Hamid Fayaz, of Nadigam, Shopian; and Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, alias Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar of Thanamang, Darhal, Rajouri, presently residing in Pakistan. The fourth accused is Al-Huda Educational Trust, a Rajouri-based organisation allegedly used as a financial front for JeI. The charges were framed in case RC-07/2022/NIA/JMU, after the NIA found prima facie material under sections 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and sections 10, 13, 20, 22-C, 38, and 39 of the UAPA. As per the NIA, Amir Mohammad Shamsi, who previously served as Amir-e-Jila of JeI in Rajouri, conspired with Abdul Hamid Ganai, then Amir-e-Jamaat of JeI, J&K, to collect funds through Al-Huda Educational Trust even after JeI was declared an unlawful association in February 2019. Witness statements and financial documents revealed that Shamsi received ₹1.80 lakh from Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a Pakistan-based terrorist affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and disbursed ₹1 lakh to Ganai for furtherance of separatist activities. The court noted that while disclosure statements recorded before executive magistrates were inadmissible, independent evidence—including statements of trustees and local donors under Section 164 CrPC—substantiated the prosecution's case. Advocates Syed Aqib and Adil Pandit strongly opposed the charges, arguing that no substantive material had been recovered and that confessions lacked evidentiary value under the Indian Evidence Act. However, the court held that the cumulative evidence, including Trust deeds, financial transfers, and corroborative witness testimonies, justified the framing of charges. Proceedings under Section 512 CrPC have been initiated against Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, who is absconding and believed to be operating from Pakistan.
Hindustan Times
a minute ago
- Hindustan Times
NIA seizes house used in bomb-making for Pulwama attack
A two-storey house in Hajibal, Kakapora used by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists to store explosives and assemble two bombs used in the February 14, 2019 terror attack in Pulwama, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed, is being seized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), people familiar with the development said. In this file picture from February 14, 2019, security personnel are seen carrying out the rescue and relief works at the site of suicide bomb attack at Lathepora, Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.(PTI FILE) The house, according to one of the people cited above, an NIA officer who did not want to be named, belongs to Shakir Bashir Magray, a local JeM operative who played a crucial role in Pulwama attack: providing his residence; checking the convoy's route; helping assemble and fit the bombs in a van; even driving the car to some distance before handing it over to the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, on the national highway on the day of attack. Magray was arrested by NIA on February 28, 2020 -- he was the first one to be arrested in the case -- and was charged along with 18 others including JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, his brothers Abdul Rauf Asghar and Ammar Alvi, Azhar's nephew Mohammad Umar Farooq , who masterminded and executed the attack was killed in an encounter a month later. 'The two-storey house at Hajibal, Kakapora, which is registered in the name of Magray's grandfather, was used by Umar Farooq, his deputy for the Pulwama attack Sameer Ahmed Dar, suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar and Magray for storing over 200 kg of explosives, detonators, and then two bombs were assembled and fitted in a Maruti Eeco van there. Since it was used in terrorism, we are in the process of seizing it under section 25 (3) of UAPA,' said a second NIA officer, who didn't want to be named. A Honda Activa scooter, 'which was used by Shakir Magray for several days before the attack for reconnaissance of convoy route, deployment of forces in the area on the directions of Umar Farooq, is also being seized under the anti-terror law', this person added. The NIA probe in the Pulwama attack has revealed that Shakir Magray, Umar Farooq, another Pakistani IED expert Kamran Ali (killed with Farooq in the encounter), and Sameer Ahmad Dar prepared the car-borne IED at Magray's house on the intervening night of February 5 and 6 with two jerry cans having explosives weighing 160 kg and 40 kg respectively, comprising gelatin sticks, calcium-ammonium nitrate, ammonium powder and RDX. Magray was the one who modified the car for the bomb and changed its number plates, according to the first officer. He was the first person to be arrested, based on his photo recovered from Umar Farooq's phone, and he revealed the entire Pulwama conspiracy to the NIA sleuths. He disclosed that an attack on a convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was first discussed in June 2018 and its actual preparation began in October that year when, upon receiving directions from Pakistan, the JeM leadership started collecting material. Throughout January 2019, Magray (now aged around 29 years), monitored the convoys passing through the national highway from his small sawmill located on Lethpora bridge, just 200m away from the blast site. Magray informed the NIA, according to the second officer, that the attack on the CRPF convoy was actually supposed to take place in the first week of February. 'However, due to weather conditions, the convoy movement suddenly stopped forcing JeM to wait till the next convoy passed from the Jammu-Srinagar highway.' The first convoy to pass that month was on February 14, the day of the attack. Magray saw the road opening party that was being deployed to assist the convoy and the terrorists then decided to carry out the attack, the officer said, adding that 'Magray drove the car till 500-600 meters before handing it over to Adil Dar' After the attack, Magray never left Pulwama and routinely went to his furniture shop. NIA recovered hundreds of video clips, voice notes and WhatsApp messages from Farooq's phone in which JeM terrorists are seen celebrating, training and practicing before they are launched into India or discussing plans, transfer of funds, etc. In a conversation with Pakistan based JeM leadership, found on the phone, Farooq even praised Shakir Magray saying he did ' what Afzal Guru did for the outfit in the Parliament attack in 2001,' said the second officer. Magray is currently lodged in a prison in J&K.
Hindustan Times
a minute ago
- Hindustan Times
Major LeT terror funding network busted in Delhi, 2 Kashmir residents arrested
The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday claimed to have dismantled a significant terror funding network operating out of New Delhi, arresting two Kashmir residents accused of acting as financial conduits for the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The case is being investigated under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—Sections 13, 38, 39, and 40—along with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to criminal conspiracy. (File) According to officials, the breakthrough came after a series of swift, coordinated raids at a business unit named Shalimar Textiles in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. The raids were conducted under FIR No. 02/2024 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar, following search warrants issued by the Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar. In a statement, a CIK spokesperson said the investigation had uncovered a 'sophisticated cross-border terror funding syndicate.' Mohammad Ayoub Bhat, a Budgam resident and operator of Shalimar Textiles, was allegedly using his business as a front while funnelling funds to support LeT's activities in Kashmir. He was reportedly aided by Mohammad Rafiq Shah from SDA Colony, Bemina, Srinagar. Both are accused of being at the centre of this covert financial operation. The case is being investigated under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—Sections 13, 38, 39, and 40—along with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to criminal conspiracy. CIK officials allege that LeT commanders and handlers based across the Line of Control (LoC), in coordination with Pakistani nationals living in Gulf countries and other foreign locations, were funnelling funds into the Kashmir Valley through a complex hawala network. The money was reportedly delivered by couriers posing as pilgrims, businessmen, and expatriates. During the raids, investigators recovered digital evidence, including encrypted chats with alleged terror operatives, foreign remittance trails, and suspicious communications with handlers based in Pakistan. The seized devices and documents are currently undergoing forensic analysis and are expected to provide further insight into the scale of the network. Based on confessions and technical intelligence, joint teams from the CIK and Delhi Police also searched multiple premises in Lajpat Nagar, collecting documents and electronic devices believed to be critical to the ongoing probe. 'Initial interrogation has revealed layers of a global terror financing ring, linking foreign-based handlers, Gulf sympathisers, and local over ground workers (OGWs) in Kashmir—all tied together through a covert cash pipeline designed to destabilise the region,' the spokesperson said. The CIK stressed its commitment to pursuing individuals who finance, support, or sympathise with terrorism, regardless of how far or deep their connections lie. 'The noose is tightening. Those hiding behind business fronts and foreign remittances are now being exposed. Today's revelations are expected to lead to more nationwide crackdowns in the near future,' the agency added.
