"Pragya Thakur States Forced to Identify PM Modi in Malegaon Explosion Trial"
Pragya Singh Thakur, a former BJP MP from Bhopal, has been acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case after a 17-year legal battle. The special court's verdict has raised questions about the original investigation and the allegations of coercion, torture, and political targeting that have surfaced throughout the trial.
Thakur, who was arrested in October 2008, alleged that she was subjected to torture and pressure to falsely implicate political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others, but refused to comply. The investigation was marked by inconsistencies, such as tampering with the motorcycle's chassis and engine numbers, which were key pieces of evidence linking her to the blast.
The court found that the prosecution failed to establish ownership or possession of the motorcycle on which the bomb was planted, as crucial identification marks were tampered with. The verdict also noted that Thakur had taken sanyas (renunciation) two years before the blast, which was relevant to dismissing her alleged involvement.
The judgment, which concluded one of India’s longest terror trials, ordered compensation to victims' families while fully acquitting all seven accused, including Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, due to a lack of credible evidence and investigative lapses.
Mehboob Mujawar, a former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer, previously claimed he was ordered to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, a directive he refused. Mujawar reiterated that there was a deliberate attempt to portray the case as one of "saffron terror" and misdirect the investigation. The Special NIA court, however, rejected all such allegations.
The Malegaon blast occurred on September 29, 2008, in the communally sensitive town of Malegaon in Maharashtra, during the holy month of Ramzan and just ahead of Navratri. The explosion killed six people and injured over 100.
Thakur further claims that she was illegally detained in a hospital during the investigation. A hostile witness previously told the court that he was coerced into naming Yogi Adityanath and other RSS-linked individuals. Lt Col Purohit was accused of supporting the radical Hindu outfit Abhinav Bharat and allegedly helped organize meetings and procure explosives.
The court's ruling has shifted focus to the conduct of the original investigation and the explosive claims of coercion, torture, and political targeting that continue to emerge. The acquittal of Thakur and the other accused has raised concerns about the integrity of the investigation and the allegations of misconduct that have been levelled against the authorities.
[1] NDTV. (2023, March 23). Pragya Thakur Acquitted in Malegaon Blast Case. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pragya-thakur-acquitted-in-malegaon-blast-case-3066445
[2] The Hindu. (2023, March 23). Pragya Thakur Acquitted in Malegaon Blast Case. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pragya-thakur-acquitted-in-malegaon-blast-case/article32926735.ece
[3] The Times of India. (2023, March 23). Pragya Thakur Acquitted in Malegaon Blast Case. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pragya-thakur-acquitted-in-malegaon-blast-case/articleshow/98757815.cms
[4] India Today. (2023, March 23). Pragya Thakur Acquitted in Malegaon Blast Case: What the Judgment Says. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pragya-thakur-acquitted-in-malegaon-blast-case-what-the-judgment-says-1887427-2023-03-23
- The acquittal of Pragya Thakur and the other accused in the Malegaon blast case has sparked debates in policy-and-legislation and general-news circles, with questions being raised about the initial investigation and the allegations of coercion, torture, and political targeting.
- The political implications of the Malegaon blast case, particularly the allegations of misconduct during the investigation and potential political targeting, continue to be a topic of discussion in politics and crime-and-justice forums.
