NIA court to pronounce verdict in 2008 Malegaon blast case on July 31
Malegaon: A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court is expected to deliver its verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on July 31.
The court had reserved its judgment on April 19, after completing hearings and final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
The court stated that the hearing concluded in April, but given the voluminous nature of the case -- comprising over one lakh pages of evidence and documentation -- additional time is required to go through all records before pronouncing the verdict.
All the accused in the case have been directed to remain present in court on the day of the verdict. The court has also cautioned that action will be initiated against any accused found absent on that day.
A total of seven individuals are facing trial in the case, including Lt Col Prasad Purohit, former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, and retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay.
They have been charged under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The blast occurred on September 29, 2008, in Malegaon, a communally sensitive town in Maharashtra, during the holy month of Ramzan and just ahead of Navratri. The explosion claimed six lives and left over 100 people injured.
During the course of the trial, which spanned over a decade, the prosecution examined 323 witnesses, of whom 34 turned hostile.
Initially, the case was investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). However, in 2011, the probe was handed over to the NIA.
In 2016, the NIA filed a charge sheet that gave a clean chit to Pragya Singh Thakur and a few other accused, citing a lack of sufficient evidence against them.
The verdict, coming nearly 17 years after the incident, is keenly awaited and is expected to have significant legal and political ramifications.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
29 minutes ago
- India Today
ED seizes assets, shares worth nearly Rs 26 crore in Noida property scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized several properties and assets worth nearly Rs 25.94 crore in a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Unnati Fortune Holdings Ltd (UFHL) and its promoters for allegedly duping home buyers and financial institutions. Twelve properties have been seized in Meerut, Noida and Delhi. This apart, a preference share certificate has also been seized by the ED in this case. advertisementThe probe is being conducted by the Enforcement Directorate based on FIRs filed by the Uttar Pradesh police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against UFHL, its promoters, including the main promoter Anil Mithas, Madhu Mithas and other key company officials. According to the ED, Anil Mithas, along with others, allegedly collected massive sums from homebuyers and secured loans from financial institutions for their flagship project, Unnati, The Aranya in Sector 119 of between 2011 and 2019, around Rs 126.3 crore was allegedly diverted through investments in equity shares, debentures, loans, and advances to related entities. This led to incomplete projects, financial defaults and heavy losses for both the buyers and the Mithas was arrested by the ED on April 16, 2025, and is presently in judicial custody. The agency had also conducted searches at multiple locations connected to the accused on April 17, resulting in the seizure of incriminating documents and digital Watch
Hans India
31 minutes ago
- Hans India
NIA Takes Over Probe into Murder of Hindu Activist Suhas Shetty in Bajpe
Mangaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the investigation into the brutal murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, who was hacked to death in broad daylight in Bajpe town on May 1. The central agency's team reached Mangaluru earlier this week and has initiated preliminary groundwork. Mangaluru Police have officially confirmed the arrival of the NIA team, led by DSP Pawan Kumar. The team has met with City Crime Branch (CCB) officers to collect case-related documents and briefings. The Union government had transferred the case to the NIA following pressure from BJP leaders, particularly Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, who had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a central agency probe. The NIA investigation may also include charge of collision of officials in aiding the murder of Suhas Shetty, which the Karnataka government was wary about. It is stated by the BJP leaders that a certain police official had checked the car of Suhas Shetty twice on the day he was murdered, the checks had been carried out twice within a span of few hours to ensure that Shetty and his co passengers in the car had no weapons. Initial investigations by the local police had pointed to the involvement of a group of eight Muslim youths, allegedly affiliated with the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). The calculated nature of the attack and the possible ideological motivation behind the killing raised concerns about a broader conspiracy. The NIA is likely to revisit the evidence and re-examine the suspects in custody. It may also explore whether provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are applicable if firm links to proscribed outfits are established. There are also reports suggesting that the agency will look into possible lapses by certain local police personnel. With the NIA's entry, the case is set to widen in scope, potentially extending beyond the immediate assailants to uncover a larger network, if any, behind the murder.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
NIA opposes bail relaxation for PDP's Waheed Para
Srinagar, June 14 (UNI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has strongly opposed a plea filed by MLA and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para seeking relaxation of his bail conditions. In a detailed objection submitted to the Special NIA Court in Jammu, the anti-terror agency said Para's plea is not maintainable and needs to be dismissed as 'intention of the applicant/ accused is to flee from the clutches of law.' PDP's Para is leader of the Legislature Party in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Parra had been jailed for around 19 months under sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in 2020 and was released on bail by the J&K High Court in 2021. While granting bail, Para was directed not to leave the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir without the prior written permission of the court during the period of bail. Para, who represents the Pulwama assembly segment, was one of three legislators from the party who won the elections last year. The MLA had pleaded before the court that he may be allowed to travel to any part of the country citing his constitutional obligation as a legislator. 'Trial in the instant case is being conducted expeditiously on regular basis. There is a strong apprehension that the applicant/ accused would misuse the liberty and may not come back to face the proceedings in relation to chargesheet that has already been filed,' the NIA said in its objections. The NIA said that the investigations have revealed that the accused Parra 'entered into the conspiracy with other co-accused for raising funds to procure arms and ammunition for terrorists of the banned terrorist organisation Hizb-ulMujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating in Kashmir valley.' 'Besides, Waheed Para extended financial support to the separatist leaders for furtherance of secessionist activities,' the anti terror body told the Court. 'The said bail conditions in no way prevents the accused from discharging his constitutional duties as an elected MLA,' NIA said 'In the event that his presence is specifically required outside the Union Territory of J&K in furtherance of any constitutional obligation, the court may consider such requests on a case-to-case basis'. The NIA said that based on the evidence that came on record, charges in the court have been framed under section 120B of the IPC, sections 17, 18, 39 & 40 of the UA(P)Act in December 2022. The NIA, while praying for dismissal of Parra's application, said that he is 'not a law abiding person and is involved in serious offences related to national security'. The Special NIA Court is yet to pronounce its order on the application.
