Malegaon Bomb Blast 2008: Victims' Families Fiercely Challenge Acquittals in High Court, Demanding Justice

In a powerful and poignant move, families of the victims of the devastating 2008 Malegaon bomb blast have escalated their fight for justice, directly challenging the acquittal of all seven accused individuals in the hallowed halls of the Bombay High Court. This crucial development reignites hope for accountability in a case that has seen years of legal twists and turns, leaving the affected families in a prolonged quest for closure.

The plea, lodged by individuals who lost loved ones and suffered grievous injuries in the horrific attack, contests the trial court's decision to discharge the seven accused.

Their acquittal came after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the court that it possessed no evidence against them and consequently did not oppose their discharge applications. For the victims' families, this acquittal felt like a betrayal, prompting their determined recourse to the higher judiciary.

The fateful incident occurred on September 29, 2008, when bombs concealed on motorcycles ripped through the bustling Malegaon area in Nashik district, claiming the lives of six innocent people and leaving over a hundred others severely injured.

The terror sowed on that tragic day has cast a long shadow over the lives of survivors and the bereaved, who have relentlessly pursued justice through various investigative and legal phases.

Initially, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took charge of the investigation, leading to the arrest of 11 individuals.

The ATS's probe pointed fingers at a right-wing extremist group, alleging their involvement in planning and executing the blast. However, the trajectory of the investigation shifted significantly when the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.

Upon taking over, the NIA filed a supplementary charge sheet, introducing a new narrative.

While they continued proceedings against some accused, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit in a separate but related context (not the specific seven acquitted here), the agency dropped charges against eight others, citing insufficient evidence. It was within this complex legal landscape that the seven accused – initially arrested by the ATS for their alleged roles in planting the explosives – were ultimately discharged by the trial court, largely due to the NIA's stance.

The families' petition before the Bombay High Court asserts that the trial court erred in acquitting the accused without a thorough examination of the original evidence collected by the ATS.

Their legal representation contends that there was substantial material on record, including confessional statements and forensic evidence, that warranted a full trial and should not have been summarily dismissed. They argue that the victims deserve a comprehensive and fair judicial process to unearth the truth and hold the perpetrators accountable.

This renewed legal battle underscores the profound emotional toll and the unwavering resolve of those who bore the brunt of the 2008 Malegaon blast.

Their move to the High Court is not merely a procedural challenge; it is a heartfelt cry for justice, a demand for thoroughness, and a refusal to let the memory of their loved ones fade into judicial ambiguity. The High Court's review of these acquittals will be a pivotal moment in this long-standing quest for truth and accountability.