Judge cites the need for a careful review of witness testimonies, cross-examinations, and statements before drafting the final judgment
MALEGAON – Seventeen years after the deadly Malegaon bomb blast that shook the nation in 2008, a special NIA court in Mumbai has scheduled the pronouncement of its verdict for 31 July. The long-awaited decision concerns seven accused, including Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. Both were present in court on Thursday.
Originally expected on 8 May, the verdict was delayed due to the extensive volume of case material — over one lakh pages — still being examined by the court. Presiding judge AK Lahoti cited the need for careful review of witness testimonies, cross-examinations, and statements before drafting the final judgment.
“It will take considerable time to go through the entire case draft, examine the statements, and write the verdict,” Judge Lahoti informed the courtroom, addressing the prosecution, defence, and intervener lawyers.
Alongside Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya, the other five accused are Maj Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Ajay Rahekar, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi, and Sudhakar Chaturvedi.
However, soon after proceedings commenced, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur sought permission to leave, citing ill health. The court accepted her request and allowed her to exit early.
The Malegaon blast case, which began following the 29 September 2008 explosion that killed six Muslim residents and injured over 100 others, has seen protracted legal proceedings over the years. A total of 323 witnesses were presented before the court, 40 of whom retracted their earlier statements during the trial.
The victims who lost their lives in the explosion have been identified as Shagufta Fahim Sheikh, Mushtaq Sheikh Yousuf, Sheikh Rafiq Sheikh Mustafa, Irfan Ziaullah Khan, Syed Azhar Syed Nisar, and Haroon Shah Muhammad Shah.
An unexpected development in the case came with the transfer order of Judge AK Lahoti to Nashik, which raised concerns about further delays. Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, an intervener in the case on behalf of the victims, appealed to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court to halt the transfer.
“Given the 17-year wait, there is a real concern that a change in the presiding judge could result in indefinite delay or derailment of justice,” Advocate Nadeem argued.
Responding to these concerns, the Bombay High Court issued a stay order on Judge Lahoti’s transfer until 31 August 2025, allowing him to deliver the verdict before moving to his new post.
The Malegaon blast case has remained in public and legal discourse for nearly two decades. Its communal and political overtones, especially with high-profile figures like former BJP lawmaker Pragya Singh Thakur, and Col Purohit among the accused, have made it one of the most closely-watched terror cases in India.
The families of the victims, human rights organisations, and members of the wider community have long awaited justice. The adjournment to 31 July has added a few more weeks to that wait, but for many, the certainty of a date has rekindled hope.
“Justice delayed is justice denied — but it must not be justice derailed. Let this verdict bring some closure,” said a relative of one of the deceased victims, requesting anonymity.
