One of the most popular terrorist incidents of the country is expected to come after 17 years in the 2008 Malegaon Bomb blast case. Justice AK Lahoti can give his verdict on 31 July.
In fact, in the month of Ramadan in 2008, there was a big bomb blast in Malegaon city of Maharashtra, in which 6 people lost their lives and more than 100 were injured. The explosion took place on 29 September 2008 at a crowded Bhiku Chowk, near a mosque in the evening. The blast was caused by a bomb explosion in a motorcycle. The blast was so tremendous that many houses and shops nearby were also damaged.
Hinduist organizations were suspected to be involved in the blast
The Maharashtra ATS started investigation immediately after the blast. In the initial investigation, the needle of suspicion turned to some Hinduist organizations. The ATS had recovered an LML Freedom motorcycle from the explosion. There were many arrests in this case.
The name of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP MP from Bhopal and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Srikanth Purohit, a BJP MP from Bhopal, and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Srikanth Purohit, who were BJP MP from Bhopal, were among the main accused of Malegaon Blast. Apart from these, Ramesh Shivaji Upadhyay (Retired Major), Sameer Sharad Kulkarni, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi and Sudhakar Chaturvedi were also accused.
According to the investigating agency, the allegations made against the accused are as follows:
– Pragya Singh Thakur: It is alleged that Pragya Thakur was involved in the bomb blasts conspiracy. The most important allegation is that the motorcycle on which the bomb was planted was his. That is, active participation in the conspiracy, providing weapons/vehicles.
– Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Srikanth Purohit: Srikanth Purohit was considered the mastermind of this entire conspiracy. He is accused that he formed an organization called ‘Abhinav Bharat’, which aims to carry out extremist activities for the establishment of a Hindu nation.
It is also alleged that he arranged explosives and played an important role in the conspiracy meetings. That is, the main architect of the conspiracy, the construction of the organization, the explosives and arms arrangements.
– Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retired): Abhinav is accused of being associated with India and joining the conspiracy meetings, where the bomb blast was allegedly planned. That is, active participation in the conspiracy, holding meetings.
– Ajay Rahairkar: The bomb is accused of collecting and distributing money for the blast. That is, providing financial assistance, management of money.
– Sudhakar Dwivedi (aka Shankaracharya/Dayanand Pandey): It is alleged that he was involved in the conspiracy meetings and he worked to inspire the conspirators using religious narratives.
– Sudhakar Chaturvedi: It is accused of joining the conspiracy meetings.
– Sameer Kulkarni: Conspiracy accused for Malegaon blast.
‘Waiting for justice for 17 years’- Sameer Kulkarni
Sameer Kulkarni became emotional during a conversation with ABP News. He said that he has been waiting for justice for 17 years. At the same time, Kulkarni has expressed hope that the decision will come on 31 July and truth will win. Sameer Kulrani claimed, “I was falsely affected. I did nothing. This case has been one of the most sensitive cases politically because it used words like Hindu terrorism and saffron terrorism.”
What did Pragya Thakur’s lawyer say
At the same time, Pragya Singh Thakur’s lawyer Jayaprakash Mishra said that the Congress brought the theory of Hindu terrorism to the country and that is why Pragya Thakur and others were targeted in it.
The lawyer says that there was a lot of cruelty with Pragya Singh. ATS officials did all this at that time. In this, more than 30 witness have changed their statements in which they have told how forcibly took their statements by ATS officials. All this happened under conspiracy.
Malegaon blast case timeline
– 29 September 2008, between Anjuman Chowk and Bhiku Chowk in Malegaon (District Nashik) at 9:35 pm, Bomb blast in front of Shakeel Goods Transport Company.
– 6 people killed, 101 injured, property damage.
– FIR lodged at Azad Nagar Police Station, Malegaon at 3:00 am September 30, 2008.
– October 21, 2008 ATS was handed over the investigation of the case
On 20 January 2009, ATS Mumbai filed a charge sheet in special MCOCA court, Mumbai.
– 13 April 2011 NIA took the investigation into its hand.
On 21 April 2011, ATS Mumbai filed a supplementary charge sheet in Special NIA Court, Mumbai.
– 13 May 2016 NIA filed another supplementary charge sheet in Special NIA Court, Mumbai.
In 2017, all the accused released on bail.
– 27 December 2017 Special NIA Court Mumbai started the process of charge framing.
– On 30 October 2018, charge frames were made against a total of 7 accused.
– 3 December 2018 The first witness appeared and completed the test of the final witness (witness number 323) on 4 September 2023. 40 witness hostels declared
– The process of statement from the accused under Section 313 CRPC was completed on 12 August 2024
– Prosecution Argument lasted from 25 July 2024 to 27 September 2024.
– Defense debate (Accused No.01 to 11) was completed from 30 September 2024 to 3 April 2025.
– Processing from 4 April 2025 to 19 April 2025 was a counter -debate (Rebuttal Argument).
– The final decision will be declared on 31 July 2025.
Data related to case
* Total documents so far: 10840
* Total Witness: Around 495, of which witnesses, victims/injured, doctors, investigating officers)
* Total witnesses who were examined- 323
* Declared Hostel Witness: 40
* Drop Witness (officially): More than 40
* Dead Witness: 25
* 2 accused are still wanted.
