The court’s acquittal of all accused linked to Hindutva groups raises questions about investigation and submission of crucial evidence
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The Nanded Sessions Court’s acquittal of all the accused in the 2006 bomb blast case in Patbandhare Nagar citing insufficient evidence has left many in the community deeply disappointed and concerned. Social activists have questioned the effectiveness of the investigation and submission of crucial evidence before the court.
On Thursday, Judge CV Marathe ruled that there was not enough evidence to convict the accused. The accused, all of whom have been linked to Hindutva organisations such as the RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal, were acquitted of all charges.
Defence lawyer Nitin Ronwal praised the ruling, stating that the case could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. “The investigating agencies failed to establish the allegations against the accused in court, which led to their acquittal,” Ronwal said.
However, the decision has been met with shock and outrage, particularly from social organisations, human rights groups, and political leaders, who argue that critical evidence was not adequately presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), raising serious concerns about the handling of the case.
The 2006 bomb blast in Patbandhare Nagar resulted in the deaths of two individuals, both of whom were reportedly associated with the RSS. The house where the explosion occurred was also linked to the RSS, and clear evidence of bomb-making was discovered at the site. Despite this, the local police initially misclassified the incident as a firecracker explosion, only for the case to be later handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and then the CBI.
At the time, social organisations and the national media played a significant role in raising awareness about the incident, with reports surfacing about the involvement of Hindutva activists in the blast. “It was clear from the outset that a bomb was being made at that house,” said Altaf Hussain, the state secretary of the Movement for Peace and Justice. “However, the local police tried to suppress the truth, calling it a mere firecracker explosion.”
In 2006, Yashwant Shinde, a former RSS pracharak, offered to become a government witness in the case, but the court refused to allow his testimony. Farooq Ahmed, a state leader of the Vanchat Bahujan Aghadi, expressed his disbelief over this decision. “This was a sensitive case, and there were allegations of involvement of RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal members. The refusal to allow a witness like Shinde to testify is deeply troubling and goes against the principles of justice,” Ahmed said.
Many are now questioning the role of the investigating agencies in the case. “The CBI had the opportunity to present concrete evidence, but instead, they failed to take the case to its logical conclusion,” Altaf Hussain commented. “It’s almost as if the case was intentionally weakened to ensure that the accused were acquitted.”
The Nanded bomb blast has raised broader concerns about the investigation of terror cases in India. Critics argue that the lack of decisive action by the police and investigating agencies in such cases contributes to the perception that justice is being denied to the victims.
Human rights activists have been vocal in calling for a thorough review of the case, suggesting that the CBI should challenge the acquittal in higher courts. “If the local court has failed to deliver justice, it is essential that the CBI take this matter to the high court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court,” said one activist, who wished to remain anonymous. “The acquittal of the accused sends a dangerous message and undermines the ongoing struggle against terrorism.”
The Nanded bomb blast case has long been a symbol of the complex relationship between terrorism, politics, and religion in India. With Hindutva groups implicated in the attack, the case has been highly sensitive and politically charged. The acquittal of the accused has led to widespread disillusionment, particularly among those who believe that the law should treat all forms of terrorism equally, regardless of the religious affiliations of the perpetrators.
“This decision raises more questions than it answers,” said an activist from the Human Rights Watch. “The people of Nanded, the families of the victims, and the nation deserve to know the truth about what happened that night. The acquittal is a setback for justice.”
The failure to secure convictions in the Nanded bomb blast case casts a shadow over the ability of India’s legal system to hold powerful political and religious figures accountable for acts of violence. Activists and community leaders are now calling for a deeper investigation into the role of Hindutva organisations in this and other similar incidents.
“We cannot allow this case to be swept under the rug,” Farooq Ahmed said. “The government, the CBI, and the judiciary must come together to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.”
As social organisations prepare to challenge the ruling in higher courts, the case continues to raise critical questions about the intersection of politics, law, and justice in India. For the families of the victims and the wider community, the fight for justice is far from over. The Nanded bomb blast case will likely remain a focal point of public debate, with many hoping that the truth will eventually emerge.
“We will not give up,” Altaf Hussain asserted. “The struggle for justice will continue, no matter how many hurdles are placed in our way.”
