Acquittal Raises Questions on Credibility of Malegaon's 2008 Blast Probe

A special court in Malegaon raised serious concerns following the acquittal of seven individuals in the 2008 blast case, citing alleged torture and illegal detention by ATS officers. The court criticized the credibility of evidence gathered by the ATS, highlighting discrepancies and misconduct in their investigation practices.

A special court in Malegaon has delivered a verdict that raises serious concerns regarding the investigation into the 2008 Malegaon blast. The court's judgment, acquitting seven individuals, highlighted alleged torture and illegal detention by Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) officers.

The ATS originally handled the investigation before it was transferred to the National Investigation Agency. Witnesses testified that their statements were made under coercion. Despite the absence of formal complaints against the officers, the court noted that this did not undermine the credibility of the witness statements.

The judgment has sparked a debate on the credibility of evidence collected by the ATS, contrasting with the clean slate for the NIA. The court's findings have been forwarded to the respective agencies for review, following the acquittal of all accused, including prominent figures such as former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur.

(With inputs from agencies.)