NIA May Not Appeal Bombay HC Ruling in Malegaon Blast Case
Dead end? NIA unlikely to appeal against Bombay HC order in Malegaon blast case
The Economic Times
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is reviewing the Bombay High Court's decision to discharge four accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case but is unlikely to file an appeal. The court found insufficient evidence to proceed with the case, marking a significant setback in a long-running investigation into the tragic incident that killed 31 people.
- 01Bombay High Court discharged four accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case due to insufficient evidence.
- 02NIA is unlikely to appeal the court's decision, following a similar pattern in past cases.
- 03The case has seen conflicting narratives between the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and NIA regarding the perpetrators.
- 04The blasts, which occurred in Malegaon, Maharashtra, resulted in 31 fatalities and over 300 injuries.
- 05The court criticized the NIA for ignoring crucial evidence collected by the ATS.
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The Bombay High Court has discharged four individuals accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently evaluating the court's ruling but is reportedly unlikely to appeal. The four accused—Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh, Manohar Ram Singh Narwaria, and Lokesh Sharma—were initially charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court's decision overturned a September 2025 order from a special court that had framed charges against them. The Malegaon blasts, which occurred on September 8, 2006, involved four bombs that detonated in quick succession, resulting in 31 deaths and 312 injuries. The court noted significant discrepancies between the investigations conducted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the NIA, highlighting the ATS's collection of forensic evidence that included traces of RDX. The two agencies have presented contradictory narratives regarding the case, leading the court to conclude that the situation has reached a dead end.
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The court's decision and the NIA's potential inaction may leave victims' families without justice and raise concerns about the effectiveness of investigations into terrorism in India.
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