'Truth Has Triumphed Today': Sadhvi Pragya's Sister Welcomes Malegaon Blast Case Verdict
Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's sister Upma Singh, after the Malegaon case verdict, said it upheld the truth and justice, adding, the faces of those who lied have been blackened.
Nearly 17 years after the Malegaon blast killed six people and injured over 100 in Maharashtra's Nashik district, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused, including BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, citing a lack of evidence and procedural lapses.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Upma Singh, sister of Sadhvi Pragya, expressed relief and vindication after the long legal battle.
'We are all very happy. It was clear from the start that she was not involved," she said.
Thanking the judiciary, Upma added, 'We were always with the truth, we are Sanatani (followers of Sanatana Dharma), and we don't do anything that harms our society or our country," she said.
'I thank God and the judicial system. Today, the judiciary has stood by the truth," she added.
In a pointed remark, she said, 'Jhoote logon ka muh kala hua hai aaj ' (The faces of those who lied have been blackened today).
Special Judge AK Lahoti, assigned to hear cases of the NIA in Mumbai, flagged several loopholes in the prosecution's case and the investigation carried out, and said the accused persons deserved the benefit of doubt.
An explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in the town, located about 200 km from Mumbai, on September 29, 2008, killing six people and injuring 101 others.
Besides Thakur and Purohit, the accused comprised Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retired), Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni.
Once the court acquitted the seven accused, they looked relieved with smiles on their faces. They thanked the judge and their lawyers.
The court, while reading out the judgment, said there was no 'reliable and cogent" evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
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