2008 Malegaon Blast: Here Is The Timeline of The Case

A special court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, marking the end of one of India's longest-running terror trials. Among those cleared were former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, with the court citing insufficient evidence for conviction.

Following the verdict, Thakur told the court her life was spoilt since her arrest in the case in 2008 and that she was able to survive only because she was a "sanyasi". "This case was not just fought by me but by Bhagwa (saffron). Mera pura jeewan kalankit kar diya tha (my whole life had been disgraced)," she said.

"Aaj Bhagwa ki vijay hui hai, nyay ki jeet hui hai (today Bhagwa has won, justice has won). Jisne bhi bhagwa ko badnaam kiya bhagwaan use saza dega (whoever insulted bhagwa, God will punish them)," Thakur told the court.

Timeline of The Case

September 29, 2008:
A bomb strapped to a motorcycle explodes near Bhikku Chowk, close to a mosque in Malegaon, Maharashtra, during Ramadan and on the eve of Navratri. Six people are killed and around 95-101 are injured in the communally sensitive town.

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

October 21, 2008:
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) takes over the investigation.

October 23, 2008:
The ATS makes its first arrests: Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and three others are taken into custody, with the ATS claiming involvement of right-wing extremist groups.

November 2008:
The ATS arrests Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit for alleged involvement. The motorcycle used in the blast is traced to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. The ATS Chief, Hemant Karkare, is killed in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

2009-2017: Expanding the Investigation and Bail
January 20, 2009:
The ATS files a charge-sheet against 11 accused, including Thakur and Purohit, under sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and Indian Penal Code (IPC).

2009-2011:
Further arrests of right-wing activists, including Dayanand Pandey, Sameer Kulkarni, and Ajay Rahirkar. The case draws political controversy over accusations of "Hindu terror".

2011:
The case is transferred from the ATS to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe.

August 21, 2017:
The Supreme Court grants bail to Lt Col Purohit after nine years in jail.

December 27, 2017:
The MCOCA charges are dropped, but Thakur and six others are ordered to stand trial under UAPA, IPC, and Explosives Act.

2018-2025: Trial, Testimonies, and Verdict
October 30, 2018:
Charges are formally framed against seven accused, including Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Purohit.

December 2018:
The trial officially begins, 10 years after the blast.

September 14, 2023:
Prosecution closes its case after examining 323 witnesses, of whom 37 turned hostile.

July 23, 2024:
Defence examination of eight witnesses is completed.

August 12, 2024:
Final statements of the accused are recorded under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

April 19, 2025:
Final arguments conclude. The special court reserves its judgment.

May 2025:
Judgment is postponed for further study; the court calls all accused to be present on July 31.

July 31, 2025:
The special NIA court acquits all seven accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Purohit, citing lack of cogent, reliable evidence. The court concludes the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.