A special NIA court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven individuals accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit. In its verdict, the court stated that the prosecution failed to establish a strong case, and the accused were entitled to the benefit of the doubt. It further ruled that the charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were not applicable in this case.
Additionally, the court instructed the Maharashtra government to compensate the victims of the blast. Families of those who lost their lives will receive ₹2 lakh each, while those who sustained injuries will be given ₹50,000. The incident occurred on September 29, 2008, when a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Malegaon, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuring 95 others. The ruling brings an end to a legal battle that spanned over 15 years.
