2008 Malegaon blast case: Special NIA court acquits all seven accused
On 31 July 2025 in Mumbai, a special NIA court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, giving them the benefit of doubt.
Summary
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on 31 July 2025, nearly 17 years after the blast in the Maharashtra town. Special Judge A. K. Lahoti held that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, saying the evidence was riddled with inconsistencies and that strong suspicion cannot take the place of legal proof. The acquitted are former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit, Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retd), Ajay Rahirkar, Sameer Kulkarni, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sudhakar Dwivedi. They were cleared of all charges, including criminal conspiracy and murder under the IPC and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court found no proof that the motorcycle used in the blast was in Thakur's possession or that Purohit had procured RDX or assembled the bomb.
Key facts
- Verdict
- 31 July 2025, special NIA court, Mumbai
- Judge
- Special Judge A. K. Lahoti
- Accused acquitted
- Seven, incl. Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit
- Charges dropped
- IPC (conspiracy, murder) and UAPA offences
- Reason
- Prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt; benefit of doubt
- Gap
- About 17 years after the 2008 blast
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which court delivered the verdict acquitting all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on 31 July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Special NIA court, Mumbai
Special Judge A. K. Lahoti of the special NIA court in Mumbai delivered the verdict.
How many accused were acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on 31 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Seven
All seven accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, were acquitted.
Apart from IPC offences, the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case were acquitted on 31 July 2025 of charges under which anti-terror law?
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Correct answer: A — Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
The accused were cleared of charges including offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.