Malegaon Blast Verdict Sparks Political Storm; Leaders React Sharply Across Spectrum

The special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bombings, which killed six and injured over a hundred.

Judge AK Lahoti ruled that the prosecution failed to produce legally admissible evidence and relied mostly on conjecture and suspicion.

The court also directed compensation of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured.

In a significant move, the judge ordered a fresh investigation into the alleged planting of RDX at one accused’s residence, citing procedural irregularities.

Reactions from the Accused

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur welcomed the verdict, calling it a victory for truth and Hindutva.

She claimed that the previous UPA government framed her in a political conspiracy and targeted nationalists.

Lt Col Prasad Purohit, another key accused, expressed relief, saying he always had faith in the judiciary and maintained his innocence throughout the 17-year-long trial.

Government and the BJP’s Response

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the verdict proves that the ‘saffron terror’ narrative was politically motivated, vindicating the party’s stand.

He accused the Congress of maligning Hindutva for electoral gains and demanded an apology from Opposition leaders.

Moments after the acquittal of all seven accused, including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis posted on X, “Terrorism was never saffron, is not, and will never be!”

He condemned the political conspiracy behind the case and hailed the verdict as a vindication of justice.

Opposition and Victims’ Families Respond

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the verdict, calling it disappointing and unjust.

He criticised the investigation and asked why justice was denied to the victims. “Who killed those six people? They were targeted because of their religion,” Owaisi said.

The lawyer for the victims, Advocate Shahid Nadeem, confirmed that the families would challenge the acquittal in the Bombay High Court.

Opposition parties echoed these concerns, questioning the NIA’s handling of the case and alleging bias in the judicial process.

The verdict has reignited political debates on communalism, justice, and the politicisation of terror investigations.

The BJP is using the acquittals to reinforce its Hindutva narrative, while the Opposition has called for accountability and a reinvestigation.

The BJP now reframes the case, once cited internationally as an example of rising Hindu extremism, as proof of ideological persecution.

Victims’ families plan to file an appeal against the acquittal, seeking further judicial review.

With fresh investigation orders issued in parts of the case, legal proceedings are likely to continue in the coming months.

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