Verdict Day in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case: NIA Court to Decide Fate of Pragya Thakur, Col. Purohit After 17-Year Wait

Mumbai: Seventeen years after a deadly blast tore through a Muslim-dominated area of Malegaon in Maharashtra, killing six and injuring over 100, the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court is set to deliver its verdict today. Among the key accused are Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pragya Singh Thakur and former Army officer Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit.

The September 29, 2008 blast marked a watershed moment in India’s terror history, as it was the first major attack linked to alleged Hindu extremists. The explosion occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, just days before the Hindu festival of Navratri — escalating communal sensitivities across the region.

Initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the probe revealed that an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted on a motorcycle with a fake registration plate. The vehicle was traced back to Pragya Singh Thakur, who was arrested in October 2008. Later, the investigation led to the arrest of ten more individuals, including Col. Purohit. All were linked to the radical group Abhinav Bharat.

The case took a dramatic turn in 2011 when the investigation was handed over to the NIA. The new agency questioned the credibility of evidence gathered by ATS, including alleged forced confessions and procedural lapses. In 2016, the NIA’s supplementary chargesheet led to the controversial dropping of charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), citing insufficient legal grounding.

While the NIA moved to absolve Thakur of involvement, the court declined to dismiss her entirely from the case. In 2017, charges were reframed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Seven of the original accused, including Thakur and Purohit, faced trial for conspiracy, terrorism, and incitement of communal violence. Two others were charged separately under the Arms Act.

The trial, which formally began in 2018, concluded in April this year. Throughout the proceedings, the NIA argued that the attack was premeditated and aimed at instilling fear in the Muslim community to provoke religious polarization.