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Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Truth has won': Sadhvi Pragya's sister speaks out after Malegaon blast verdict
BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh's sister Upma Singh on Thursday reacted emotionally over the acquittal of her sister and other accused in the Malegaon blast case and said that "truth has won. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " Speaking on the NIA court's verdict, Upma Singh told ANI, "Truth has won. Sadhvi was with the truth, and that is why she has won... Without proving her crime, she was tortured arbitrarily in a way that cannot be described in words. Only she knows what she suffered." She further spoke about the trauma their family endured during the trial period. "Our mother used to go to the storeroom and cry silently so that her children and husband would not feel sad. When Sadhvi was diagnosed with cancer, our father became very tense due to worry. He suffered a brain haemorrhage due to hypertension. He passed away after being bedridden for a few days," she said. "Bhagwa' has won. 'Hindu Rashtra' has won. 'Sanatan Dharma' has won... Those who wanted the 'Hindu Rashtra' to be declared a terrorist country have failed," Upma Singh said. Mumbai Special National Investigative Agency Court (NIA) on Thursday 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. A total of seven people were accused, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (Shankaracharya) and Sameer Kulkarni. The court had examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses before pronouncing the verdict. The accused have been acquitted of all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and all other charges. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Prosecution proved that a blast occurred in Malegaon but failed to prove that a bomb was placed in that motorcycle," Judge Abhay Lohati said. On September 29, 2008, six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City's Bhijju Chowk. Originally, 11 people were charged in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against seven. The lawyer representing the victims' families said that he will be challenging the acquittal of the seven people in the High Court.
News18
31-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Truth Has Triumphed Today': Sadhvi Pragya's Sister Welcomes Malegaon Blast Case Verdict
Last Updated: 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. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
