A Mumbai court today acquitted former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and seven others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case due to lack of evidence, reported the Times of India.
The blasts killed six and injured over 100. The case became one of India’s longest-running terror trials.
The court said the prosecution failed to link Thakur to the LML Freedom motorcycle used in the blast.
The judge noted the bike’s chassis number was removed and the engine number was unclear. There was no proof Thakur owned or possessed the vehicle.
Thakur, who gained national attention after her arrest, was accused of arranging manpower for the attack.
Co-accused Lt Col Prasad Purohit, who was accused of sourcing explosives, was also acquitted.
The verdict ends a 17-year legal battle. Thakur had become a controversial figure tied to the term “Hindu terror” after the blasts.
All eight accused were freed due to lack of strong evidence.
