Malegaon Blasts Verdict: Acquittal After 17 Years of Legal Battle

In a significant development, a special NIA court has acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case. Initially charged under various acts, including UAPA and IPC, the accused such as Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit were found not guilty after 17 years of legal proceedings.

The timeline of the case reflects a series of legal twists and turns, starting with arrests in 2008 by Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The case saw numerous appeals across different courts, including the high courts and the Supreme Court, with charges repeatedly revised.

On July 31, 2025, Judge A K Lahoti ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to guarantee a conviction, leading to the acquittal of all accused. The court emphasized the lack of 'cogent and reliable' evidence in the trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)