Timeline of 2008 Malegaon Blasts Case Leading to Acquittal

Mumbai, July 31, PTI: Below is the detailed timeline of the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, culminating in the acquittal of all seven accused by a special NIA court.

September 29, 2008: A bomb explodes on a motorcycle in Malegaon, Nashik district, Maharashtra, resulting in six fatalities and 101 injuries.

September 30, 2008: An FIR is filed at Azad Nagar Police Station, Malegaon.

October 21, 2008: Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) assumes control of the investigation.

October 23, 2008: ATS arrests Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and three others, alleging right-wing extremist involvement.

November 2008: Lt Col Prasad Purohit is apprehended by ATS for alleged conspiracy involvement.

January 20, 2009: ATS presents a charge-sheet against 11 individuals, including Pragya Thakur and Purohit, under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and Indian Penal Code (IPC). Two suspects, Ramji alias Ramchandra Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange, are listed as wanted.

July 2009: A special court declares MCOCA provisions inapplicable and orders the trial in Nashik.

August 2009: The Maharashtra government appeals the decision to the Bombay High Court.

July 2010: The Bombay High Court overturns the special court's decision, reinstating MCOCA charges.

August 2010: Purohit and Pragya Thakur appeal to the Supreme Court against the High Court's order.

February 1, 2011: Pravin Mutalik is arrested, bringing the total number to 12.

April 13, 2011: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) takes over the case.

February-December 2012: NIA arrests Lokesh Sharma and Dhan Singh Chaudhary, increasing total arrests to 14.

April 2015: The Supreme Court sends the case back to the special court for re-evaluating MCOCA's applicability.

February 2016: NIA seeks Attorney General's opinion on MCOCA's application.

May 13, 2016: NIA files a charge-sheet, excluding MCOCA charges and exonerating seven accused.

April 25, 2017: Bombay High Court grants bail to Pragya Thakur but denies Purohit's request.

September 21, 2017: Supreme Court grants bail to Purohit, eventually releasing all accused on bail by year's end.

December 27, 2017: Special NIA court acquits Shivnarayan Kalsangra, Shyam Sahu, and Praveen Mutalik Naik, dropping UAPA charges related to terrorism.

October 30, 2018: Charges are formalized against Thakur, Purohit, and five others under UAPA and IPC for terrorism, conspiracy, and murder.

December 3, 2018: Trial begins with the examination of the first witness.

September 14, 2023: After questioning 323 prosecution witnesses, with 37 turning hostile, the prosecution concludes its evidence submission.

July 23, 2024: Examination of eight defense witnesses concludes.

August 12, 2024: Final statements of the accused are recorded under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code, paving the way for final arguments.

April 19, 2025: Trial concludes, pending judgment.

July 31, 2025: Special NIA Judge A.K. Lahoti acquits Thakur, Purohit, and five others, citing insufficient evidence for conviction. The court highlights the prosecution's failure to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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