Court Clears Accused in 2008 Malegaon Bombing: No Evidence, No Conviction

A special court has acquitted seven individuals implicated in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, citing a lack of credible evidence. The bomb explosion, which killed six people and injured 101, was initially attributed to right-wing extremists plotting against the Muslim community in this communally sensitive town.

Despite prosecution claims linking the accused to the bombing, Judge A K Lahoti highlighted numerous flaws in the investigation and noted that suspicion alone could not warrant a conviction. The court underscored the absence of evidence needed to prove the conspiracies alleged by the prosecution.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, under which the accused were charged, was deemed improperly applied. The court also found no substantial evidence of bomb assembly, transportation, or the purported meetings where plotting allegedly occurred. As a result, the accused were granted the benefit of the doubt.

(With inputs from agencies.)