Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Photos / IN PHOTOS: Malegaon blast accused walk out of court after being acquitted

IN PHOTOS: Malegaon blast accused walk out of court after being acquitted

Updated On: 31 July, 2025 06:12 PM IST | Divya Nair

The NIA Court in Mumbai acquitted all the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on Thursday. The court said there was "no reliable and cogent evidence" while acquitting the seven accused: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Col Prasad Purohit, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni (PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI, SHADAB KHAN) 

The NIA Court in Mumbai acquitted all the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on Thursday. The court said there was "no reliable and cogent evidence" while acquitting the seven accused: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Col Prasad Purohit, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni (PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI, SHADAB KHAN) 

1/6

The NIA Court in Mumbai acquitted all the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case on Thursday. The court said there was "no reliable and cogent evidence" while acquitting the seven accused: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Col Prasad Purohit, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni (PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI, SHADAB KHAN) 
<p>The court said that there is no evidence of storing or assembling the explosives in Prasad Purohit`s residence</p>

2/6

The court said that there is no evidence of storing or assembling the explosives in Prasad Purohit`s residence

<p>Sudhakar Chaturvedi walks out of court after the verdict. The court mentioned that there were some manipulation done of medical certificates&nbsp;</p>

3/6

Sudhakar Chaturvedi walks out of court after the verdict. The court mentioned that there were some manipulation done of medical certificates 

<p>The court had examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses before pronouncing the verdict. The seven people have been acquitted of all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms act and all other charges</p>

4/6

The court had examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses before pronouncing the verdict. The seven people have been acquitted of all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms act and all other charges

<p>Sameer Kulkarni, one of the accused, puts up a victory sign outside the court. On September 29 2008, six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City`s Bhikku Chowk&nbsp;</p>

5/6

Sameer Kulkarni, one of the accused, puts up a victory sign outside the court. On September 29 2008, six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City`s Bhikku Chowk 

<p>Former BJP MP Pragya Thakur leaves the court after the verdict. She defeated ex-MP CM Digvijay Singh in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Originally, 11 people were accused in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against 7, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya. PIC/SHADAB KHAN</p>

6/6

Former BJP MP Pragya Thakur leaves the court after the verdict. She defeated ex-MP CM Digvijay Singh in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Originally, 11 people were accused in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against 7, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

Photo of Day

Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!

Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!

Sashastra Seema Bal’s (SSB) Daredevils team performs during rehearsals for the Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

Advertisement