Malegaon Blast Verdict Today: All Eyes on NIA Court as 7 Accused Await Judgment After 17-Year Trial

Mumbai  July 31, 2025 : A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai is expected to deliver its verdict today in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, bringing to a close a 17-year-long legal battle involving high-profile accused and complex terror conspiracy charges.

The case centers around the September 29, 2008 blast near Bhikku Chowk in Malegaon, a communally sensitive town in Maharashtra, which killed six people and injured over 100. The explosion, triggered by a bomb planted on a motorcycle, was initially attributed to Islamist groups, but later investigations pointed to alleged involvement by members of right-wing Hindu extremist networks.

Seven key individuals stand trial in the case, facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):

1. Pragya Singh Thakur – BJP MP from Bhopal, alleged to have owned the motorcycle used in the blast.

2. Lt Col Prasad Purohit – Indian Army officer accused of procuring RDX and participating in the planning.

3. Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay – Linked to the Abhinav Bharat group, accused of attending key conspiracy meetings.

4. Ajay Rahirkar – Treasurer of Abhinav Bharat, allegedly funded the terror operation.

5. Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Dayanand Pandey – A self-proclaimed religious leader, accused of ideological radicalization and planning.

6. Sudhakar Chaturvedi – Allegedly stored explosives used in the attack.

7. Sameer Kulkarni – Accused of participating in planning meetings.

The accused face stringent charges including:

• UAPA Section 16 & 18: Committing and conspiring to commit terrorist acts.

• IPC Section 120(b): Criminal conspiracy.

• IPC Section 302: Murder.

• IPC Section 307: Attempt to murder.

• IPC Section 324: Voluntarily causing hurt.

• IPC Section 153(a): Promoting enmity between religious groups.

The NIA has argued that the blast was a premeditated act aimed at targeting the Muslim community, inciting communal discord, and disrupting public life. During the trial, the agency presented 323 witnesses, though 37 later turned hostile. The NIA has sought strict punishment, citing the gravity of the offense and its broader implications on national security.

The trial, which began in 2018, concluded in April 2025, nearly 17 years after the attack.

The case has drawn significant political attention, especially with Pragya Singh Thakur being elected as a Member of Parliament while under trial. The outcome of the verdict is likely to have far-reaching implications, both politically and in terms of public perception of the justice system's handling of terrorism cases.

As the nation awaits the judgment, the Malegaon blast case stands as a grim reminder of the cost of extremism and the long, arduous road to justice.