Mumbai: Following the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar has raised sharp and uncomfortable questions about the investigation and prosecution of the case. The special NIA court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit both associated with Hindutva groups, due to lack of evidence.
Reacting to the verdict, Ambedkar questioned the very basis of justice. “If no one is guilty, who planned and executed the Malegaon bomb blasts? Who killed six people?” he posted on X.
He criticised the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for its shifting stance during the trial. “Why did the NIA change its stand in the investigation? Unless this question is answered, the truth will never be out,” he said.
Ambedkar raised concerns about the disappearance of key documents and inconsistencies in the probe. “Where are the papers of the investigation, initially led by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) under the late IPS officer Hemant Karkare?” he asked. “Why did the NIA begin a new inquiry when a line of investigation already existed?”
The VBA leader also highlighted the alarming trend of key witnesses, including serving army officers, turning hostile. “If they were lying before, why hasn’t the prosecution filed perjury charges against any of them?” he questioned.
Further, Ambedkar demanded accountability from the officers who initially led the investigation. “If the ATS planted evidence, why has the NIA court not held those officers accountable or recommended a departmental inquiry?” he said.
Warning against selective justice, he remarked, “Otherwise, like Manu’s laws, are we to believe no Brahmin shall ever be guilty? Or that RSS members are beyond accountability?”
The families of the victims have confirmed they will be moving the High Court against the acquittal. Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing the families, said, “The bomb blast has been proved by the Court. We will challenge this acquittal in the High Court. We will file the appeal independently.”
The Malegaon blast, which occurred on September 29, 2008, claimed six lives and injured over 100 people in a Muslim-majority town in Maharashtra. The acquittal of all accused, after nearly 17 years, has sparked fresh outrage and raised questions about the credibility of the investigative process.
If no one is guilty, who planned and executed the Malegaon bomb blasts? Who killed six people?
— Prakash Ambedkar (@Prksh_Ambedkar) August 1, 2025
Why did the NIA change its stand in the investigation? — Unless this questioned is answered, the truth will never be out!
Where are the papers of the investigation, initially led by…
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Jamshedpur (PTI): One person was arrested on the charge of raping a 30-year-old woman with speech impairment in Jamshedpur, a police officer said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in the Azadnagar police station area of the city, and a case in this regard was registered based on the statement of the victim's brother on Monday.
The victim had gone to fetch water from the premises of a company on Monday evening. When she did not return even after a considerable time, family members went out in search of her and caught the accused red-handed, police said.
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The accused was a caretaker of the company.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Patamda) Bachandeo Kujjur said due to scarcity of water in the area, the victim used to fetch water from the premises of the company.
