Families of 2008 Malegaon Blast Victims to Appeal Court Verdict

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Families of the victims in the 2008 Malegaon blast case have expressed deep disappointment after a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused due to a lack of evidence. The verdict has prompted several relatives of the deceased to vow an appeal in higher courts to seek justice.

The blast, which took place in Malegaon in September 2008, killed six people and injured over 100. Among those acquitted were former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and retired Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit. The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to conclusively prove that the accused were involved in planting the explosives that caused the fatalities.

Nisar Ahmed, a 75-year-old father who lost his 19-year-old son Sayyad Azhar in the explosion, said he would continue his fight for justice despite his old age and health condition. “We have not received justice. My son was killed while waiting on a bike, and I will keep pursuing the case until the Supreme Court if needed,” he said. Ahmed had earlier challenged the discharge of some of the accused and is preparing to appeal this latest decision.

Shaikh Liyakat, whose 10-year-old daughter Farheen died in the blast, shared similar sentiments. “For 17 years, I carried her photo, waiting for justice. Today, it feels like everything has collapsed,” he said.

Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing the victim families, criticized the verdict, alleging inconsistencies in the investigation and prosecution. He confirmed plans to move the Bombay High Court independently of the state’s legal strategy.

The Maharashtra government has stated it will review the detailed judgment before deciding whether to file an appeal. Prosecutors noted that they would study the over 1,000-page ruling before taking further action.

Meanwhile, reactions poured in from political and legal circles. Lt Col Purohit expressed gratitude toward the judiciary for allowing him to prove his innocence, while Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the verdict a win for truth.

The court acknowledged the incident but emphasized that suspicion could not substitute for proof. It ordered compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

Despite the acquittals, the families remain determined to continue their legal fight to hold those responsible accountable.