10 Years of Investigation, 7 Years in Court, 17 Years for Judgement: Timeline of the 2008 Malegaon Blast Case
The trial, which commenced in 2018, concluded on April 19, 2025, with the verdict expected today — 17 years after the incident occurred in September 2008.
Seventeen years after a blast shook Maharashtra’s communally sensitive town of Malegaon, a special NIA court is expected to pronounce its judgement in the much-debated case — one marked by multiple twists and controversies — on Thursday.
Six people lost their lives and more than 100 sustained injuries when an improvised explosive device fitted onto a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in the town, situated around 200 km from Mumbai, on September 29, 2008.
The trial, which commenced in 2018, concluded on April 19, 2025, and the matter was kept for final judgement. Initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.
Seven individuals — including BJP leader and ex-MP Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit — stood trial in the case under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, and Sameer Kulkarni were the other accused.
The NIA, which investigated the case, has demanded “appropriate punishment” for the accused. During final arguments, the agency submitted that the Malegaon blast — which targeted a Muslim-majority area — was intended to instil fear in a specific community, disrupt public services, spark communal unrest, and threaten national security. The attack occurred during the holy month of Ramzan, just ahead of Navratri.
Timeline:
September 29, 2008: A bomb rigged to a motorcycle explodes near a mosque at Bhiku Chowk in Malegaon, Maharashtra, resulting in six fatalities and over 100 injuries. The incident occurs during Ramzan and before Navratri.
2008–2009: A Dramatic Turn
The Maharashtra ATS, under Hemant Karkare, takes over the probe and — for the first time in Indian investigative history — links the blast to alleged Hindu extremist groups.
October 2008: Presently a BJP leader, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Shrikant Purohit of the Indian Army are detained. Both are alleged to be connected to Abhinav Bharat, a Hindu right-wing group, and suspected of orchestrating a retaliatory strike targeting Muslims.
November 2008: Key evidence, including the motorbike allegedly registered in Thakur’s name, is recovered. Lead investigator Hemant Karkare is later martyred in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
2009–2011: Political Repercussions
The ATS expands the probe and arrests more suspects including right-wing activists like Dayanand Pandey, Sameer Kulkarni, and Ajay Rahirkar. However, massive political backlash follows as Hindutva groups allege political targeting.
January 2009: The ATS files its primary chargesheet naming 11 accused and three absconders. Thakur and Purohit are listed as key conspirators. Charges include sections under UAPA, IPC, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
July 31, 2009: A special court drops MCOCA charges due to insufficient evidence tying the accused to organised crime.
July 19, 2010: The Bombay High Court reinstates the MCOCA provisions.
April 13, 2011: The case is transferred to the NIA.
2016–2017: NIA’s Findings, Bail Granted to Key Accused
In a major twist, the NIA drops MCOCA charges in its supplementary chargesheet and accuses the ATS of planting evidence and using force during interrogations. In 2017, Thakur and Purohit are granted bail.
May 13, 2016: The NIA submits a supplementary chargesheet, omitting MCOCA provisions and challenging the ATS’s handling of evidence. It claims the ATS resorted to coercion to obtain statements.
April 25, 2017: The Bombay High Court grants bail to Thakur citing medical reasons.
August 21, 2017: The Supreme Court grants bail to Purohit after nine years of incarceration.
December 27, 2017: Though MCOCA charges are dismissed, a special court declines to discharge Thakur and six others, directing them to stand trial under UAPA, IPC, and the Explosive Substances Act.
2018 to Present: Trial and Awaited Verdict
The trial begins a decade after the blast, with judgement due 17 years post the incident.
October 30, 2018: Charges formally framed against the seven accused, including Thakur and Purohit.
December 2018: Trial proceedings officially commence.
September 2023: Prosecution wraps up its evidence after examining 323 witnesses, 37 of whom turned hostile.
April 19, 2025: Final arguments end; the court reserves its judgement.
