The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has requested that all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, including former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, be sentenced to death under Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The agency made this plea in its final written arguments, which span over 1,500 pages, submitted to the special court on Saturday.
The 2008 explosion killed six Muslims and injured more than 100 people. After 17 years of investigation, the NIA argued that the accused had conspired to carry out a “Hindutva-driven” terror attack.
“If death results from terrorist activities, the law allows for the death penalty,” said Shahid Nadim, lawyer for Jamia Ulema Maharashtra’s legal cell, supporting the NIA’s request.
Seniormost lawyer Sharif Sheikh, also representing the Ulema group, pointed out, “Pragya Thakur attended the planning meetings, and her LML Freedom motorcycle was used to transport the bomb. That alone shows her clear involvement.”
During the trial, 323 witnesses gave testimony, but 32 later retracted their statements, claiming they were pressured.
In its final arguments, the NIA told the court that these retracted witnesses should not be considered reliable: “Their late withdrawals should not benefit the accused.”
Special Judge A.K. Lahoti has reserved his judgment and will deliver the verdict on May 8.This bomb blast was one of the first terror attacks to point toward right-wing Hindu groups.
Initially, Maharashtra ATS named Pragya Thakur as a prime suspect but later hesitated to question her, which raised many eyebrows.
