2008 Malegaon Blast Case: A Tangled History Of Terror Probes

Even as the special NIA court last week acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, the accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast continue to await a verdict, with the case remaining in legal limbo for nearly a decade.

Trial Frozen Since 2016 Over State’s Appeal

The trial in the 2006 case has been stayed since 2016 after the Bombay High Court admitted an appeal filed by the Maharashtra government. The state had challenged the special NIA court's decision to discharge eight Muslim men – Noorul Huda, Raees Ahmed, Salman Farsi, Farogh Magdumi, Shaikh Mohammed Ali, Asif Khan, Mohammed Zahid and Abrar Ahmed (who later turned approver) – initially arrested in the case. However, the matter has not come up for final hearing since then.

‘No One is in a Hurry'

“No one is in a hurry. It has gone into a cold storage,” a person familiar with the development told FPJ when asked if the state planned to pursue the matter.

What Happened in 2008?

The 2008 Malegaon blasts occurred on September 8, killing 37 people and injuring over 100. Four bombs went off near the Hamidia Mosque and Bade Kabristan during Friday prayers.On September 13, a ‘fake’ bomb was found on the staircase of the Mohammedia Mosque. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) initially investigated the case, arresting nine Muslim men and alleging involvement of the banned SIMI. The CBI later took over, endorsing the ATS findings and adding more suspects, bringing the total accused to 13.

Aseemanand’s Confession Turns the Case

In 2011, following a confession by Swami Aseemanand in another case, the probe was transferred to the NIA. Aseemanand had reportedly told a court that the Malegaon blasts were carried out by a Hindu extremist group. The NIA’s probe shifted the narrative, naming Sunil Joshi – a key accused in the 2008 Malegaon and Samjhauta Express blast cases – as the main conspirator. Joshi was later murdered, allegedly by Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur.

New Accused, New Narrative

In 2016, the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Lokesh Sharma, Dhan Singh, Manohar Singh and Rajendra Choudhary as the perpetrators, claiming they had planted the bombs. The agency dropped charges against the earlier accused.

2008 Malegaon Blast Verdict: 'Abhinav Bharat Not Banned, Government Yet To Declare It Terror Outfit,' Says Special NIA Court

Interestingly, the NIA’s chargesheet also criticised earlier probes for focusing disproportionately on the fake bomb recovery incident of September 13 rather than the September 8 blasts.

A Justice Deferred

The continued delay in the 2006 Malegaon case highlights a tangled history of terror investigations, where multiple investigative turnarounds have left both victims and accused in prolonged uncertainty.