New Delhi – The verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, which led to the acquittal of all accused including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, has ignited serious concerns over the delivery of justice and the credibility of investigative institutions. The special NIA court’s judgment, delivered on July 31, 2025, concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, effectively ending a 17-year-long legal battle.
The attack, which occurred during the holy month of Ramadan in a Muslim-majority area of Malegaon, claimed six lives and injured nearly 100 worshippers. The initial investigation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), led by the late Hemant Karkare, had pointed to an organized terror plot involving individuals linked to right-wing groups.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has expressed deep concern over the outcome of the case, highlighting the implications for public trust in the criminal justice system. “This verdict raises troubling questions about consistency, fairness, and political neutrality in the prosecution of terror cases,” JIH said in a statement.
The organization pointed to the public disclosure in 2015 by former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian, who alleged she was pressured to “go soft” on the accused following a change in the central government. Such allegations, JIH argues, must not be ignored if the integrity of the justice system is to be upheld.
Adding to the controversy is the fact that one of the prime accused, Pragya Singh Thakur, was elected to Parliament while the case was still ongoing. JIH stated that regardless of the final acquittal, her political elevation during trial proceedings sends a conflicting message about the nation’s resolve to deal with terrorism impartially.
The organization also pointed out the stark contrast in the approach taken in terror cases involving Muslim accused, many of whom were held for years before being acquitted due to lack of evidence. It questioned why investigative agencies failed to build a watertight case over nearly two decades in such a grave matter.
JIH has called for an independent judicial review of the investigation and prosecution process in the Malegaon blast case. It also demanded accountability for investigative lapses and an inquiry into possible political or ideological interference that may have compromised the case.
“This is not about targeting those who have been acquitted,” the statement emphasized. “It is about restoring public confidence in the neutrality, competence, and integrity of our law enforcement and judicial systems.”
