Bombay High Court Issues Notices To Probe Agency NIA, 7 Acquitted In 2008 Malegaon Blast
The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notices to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the seven persons acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including BJP MLA Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.
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Bombay High Court Serves Notices Following Appeal Against Malegaon Blast Acquittals
On Thursday, the Bombay High Court issued notices to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and all seven individuals who were acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including BJP legislator Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.
The court action comes in response to an appeal filed by the families of six victims who lost their lives in the explosion, challenging the special NIA court's decision from July that cleared all defendants of charges.
Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, who formed the hearing bench, scheduled the appeal for review after six weeks. During the previous hearing, the bench had remarked that the High Court is "not an open gate for everyone" to contest acquittals and questioned whether the appellant family members had provided testimony as witnesses during the original trial proceedings. The justices had requested complete details about the appellants before moving forward with the case.
The petitioners argue that flawed investigation techniques and procedural irregularities during the investigation and trial should not justify acquittal. They further claimed that significant evidence was either weakened or disregarded during the proceedings.
The incident occurred on September 29, 2008, when a motorcycle-mounted explosive device detonated near a mosque in Malegaon town located in Nashik district, resulting in six fatalities and more than 100 injuries.
On July 31, the special NIA court had acquitted all accused persons, stating that "mere suspicion cannot replace proof" and citing insufficient reliable and compelling evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.