New Delhi: The Welfare Party of India has expressed strong disappointment and outrage over the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, calling the court’s decision “incomprehensible and disheartening.”
In a press statement, the party’s National General Secretary, Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, condemned the verdict and said that the accused — including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit — were acquitted due to their political affiliations and the prosecution’s failure to present substantial evidence. He termed the verdict a “grave injustice” to the victims who lost their lives in the attack.
Dr. Ilyas further lamented that the court released all seven individuals accused of carrying out a deadly blast in a Muslim-majority area in Maharashtra nearly 17 years ago. He highlighted the court’s observation pointing out the “serious contradictions” between the investigations conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He also recalled that the case lost its strength when Hemant Karkare, the ATS officer initially investigating the matter, was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The transfer of the case from ATS to NIA and the reported forced exit of public prosecutor Rohini Salian further weakened the integrity of the investigation, according to Dr. Ilyas.
Calling for a fresh and impartial investigation, Dr. Ilyas stressed that the judiciary must remain independent and fair, especially in cases involving national security and minority communities. “Justice must prioritize the rights of the victims, not the political convenience of the accused,” he asserted.
He raised concerns about political influence on the judiciary, noting that the timing and nature of the judgment echoed similar suspicions observed in other controversial cases like that of Bilkis Bano. He urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the issues raised by this verdict, ensuring justice for the victims and reinforcing faith in the judicial system.
“The judiciary must stand committed to the delivery of justice and punishment of those guilty of heinous crimes. The Supreme Court should safeguard the rights of the victims and ensure justice prevails in the country,” he said.
The press release concluded with a call for national and judicial introspection over how such a sensitive case involving allegations against right-wing Hindu extremist groups was handled.
