Mumbai: Sixteen years have elapsed since a devastating blast struck Malegaon, Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008, resulting in 6 fatalities and over 100 injuries.
The trial is now nearing its conclusion, with the prosecution having delivered its final arguments and the defense set to present its closing statements on September 30. For the victims and their families, this has been a prolonged quest for justice.
The explosion occurred when an improvised device attached to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon, located approximately 200 km from Mumbai. Those currently on trial under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) include Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, BJP leader Pragya Thakur, Major (Retd.) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, and Sameer Kulkarni.
The case, initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.
Despite the protracted proceedings, the victims and their families remain hopeful. Nisar Ahmed, who lost his son in the blast, expressed his frustration with the slow pace but maintained faith in the judicial process.
In 2016, the NIA filed a chargesheet, exonerating some accused while continuing charges against others. The trial formally commenced in 2018 and is now poised for its final verdict.