Malegaon Blast Case: NIA Court Explains Acquittal of Pragya Thakur, Others

Quick summary

• A special NIA court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, including former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit.
• The verdict,delivered 17 years after the blast in Malegaon,Maharashtra (which killed six people and injured dozens),cited lack of direct evidence and procedural lapses.
• the court observed that terrorism has no religion and stated that convictions cannot rely solely on perception or moral evidence-cogent proof is necessary.
• The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) charges were dismissed due too defective sanction orders for prosecution.
• Procedural errors included inconsistencies in linking the explosive device to a motorcycle found at the site and manipulation of medical certificates concerning victim numbers-adjusting from 101 to 95 injured.
• Claims connecting Hindutva group “Abhinav Bharat” to terror funding lacked supporting material evidence.
• Compensation of ₹2 lakh was ordered for families of each deceased victim, while ₹50,000 was directed for each injured person.

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