Mumbai, July 31: A day of high drama, emotional outpouring, and pointed remarks followed the verdict of the Special NIA Court in Mumbai, which acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit.
The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt, bringing an end to a legal battle that spanned over 17 years.
Pragya Singh Thakur Says ‘Hindutva Has Triumphed’
Soon after the verdict, Pragya Singh Thakur, clad in saffron robes, addressed the court with folded hands, her voice heavy with emotion.
“I came to the police because I wanted to stay alive. For 17 years, I have lived each day as if I were dying. Just because I am a sanyasi, I survived. I was defamed and humiliated. But I remained patient and never gave up hope in the judiciary,” she said.
Thakur added, “This is not my personal victory. No man is greater than God. But today, my Bhagwa (saffron) has won, Hindutva has stood tall. Whoever committed injustice against us, has wronged Hindutva — and God will not forgive them. The false narrative of so-called saffron terror has collapsed.”
Lt. Col. Purohit Reflects on Institutional Misuse
Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, who had also been behind bars for several years before being granted bail, struck a different tone — measured and reflective. “Whatever happened, happened. I will not blame any agency. The nation is like a body — agencies are its organs. Sometimes, some organs get infected. We were victims of that contamination. Wrong people misused institutions, and innocent citizens paid the price,” he said.
Major Ramesh Upadhyay, another acquitted accused, spoke of the deep personal toll the case had taken on his life. “We were tortured, illegally arrested. Our families lived under the shadow of being labelled terrorists. At least now, the stigma will begin to lift,” he stated.
‘This Is Not Justice, Just a Verdict’: Chaturvedi
Sudhakar Chaturvedi, also among those acquitted, accused the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of framing him. “The court clearly observed that explosives were planted in my house. The ATS misused its power and falsely implicated me. This judgment is not justice — it is just a verdict. Who will give me back the 17 years of my life?” he asked.
“The court, in its findings, reportedly made no reference to any “Hindu terror” theory, and the acquittals are being interpreted by the defense as a vindication of that stance,” added Chaturvedi.
Sameer Kulkarni Calls Case Politically Motivated
Sameer Kulkarni, also said that he it is not surprised by his acquittal, as it was a fake case that the ATS had made against the him. The government then, had played dirty politics and had got us involved in the fake case. The taxpayer’s money has been wanted by the then government, but wrongly framing me in this case.
