**Bombay High Court Issues Notices in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case Appeal**
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notices to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and those acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. This development follows an appeal filed by family members of the blast victims, challenging the special court’s verdict that acquitted seven persons, including BJP MLA Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad has scheduled the appeal hearing after six weeks.
### About the Appeal
The appeal challenges the special court’s decision last year to acquit seven accused individuals, among whom are BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit. The blast in Malegaon resulted in six deaths and over 100 injuries.
### Blast Details and Investigation
On September 29, 2008, an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon, killing six people and injuring 101 others.
Initially, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested eleven individuals. However, after a decade, only seven were tried in court, with the others discharged. The NIA took over the investigation in 2011.
On July 31, special judge A.K. Lahoti acquitted all seven accused, stating that there was no “reliable and cogent evidence” presented against them to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
### Grounds of the Appeal
The families of the victims contend that the trial court acted merely as a “post office,” failing to rigorously test the prosecution’s case, especially considering missing or hostile evidence.
The appeal asserts that any procedural defects or investigation lapses should not have resulted in acquittals, particularly in a terrorism case. It further alleges that the NIA diluted the case deliberately.
Highlighting concerns about the prosecution, the petition references former special prosecutor Rohini Salian’s public statement that she was pressured to slow down proceedings against the accused. The replacement prosecutor, the petition argues, lacked experience in handling terror trials.
—
*For exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions, visit [Budget Properties](https://budgetproperties.in/).*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-bombay-hc-issues-notices-to-nia-acquitted-accused-in-2008-malegaon-blast-case