Acquittal of Accused Marks Breakthrough in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case

The 2008 Malegaon blast case, involving right-wing extremism and terrorism charges, concluded with the acquittal of all seven accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, as a special court found no evidence for their conviction. The blast had claimed six lives and injured 101 others.

The 2008 Malegaon blast case, one of India's most prominent and prolonged terror investigations, concluded with a special court acquitting all seven accused individuals. The case, which involved terrorism and criminal conspiracy charges, was centered around a deadly blast linked to right-wing extremism.

On September 29, 2008, an explosive device attached to a motorcycle detonated near a Malegaon mosque, killing six and injuring 101. The prosecution accused right-wing extremists of the crime, aiming to establish a 'Hindu Rashtra'. Despite 14 initial arrests, only seven faced trial.

The court acquitted all defendants, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, citing a lack of evidence. This decision marks a significant milestone in the long-running case that has gripped the nation for over a decade.