The prosecution has completed the examination of witnesses in the 2008 Malegaon blast case before a special NIA court. In this case, seven accused, including BJP MP Pragya Thakur, face trial under the anti-terror law UAPA and the Indian Penal Code.
The NIA, represented by special public prosecutors Avinash Rasal and Anushree Rasal, informed Special Judge AK Lahoti that they have concluded the recording of evidence, with no further prosecution witnesses required. Of the 323 prosecution witnesses, 34 turned hostile.
Next, the court will record the statements of the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, followed by statements of defense witnesses and final arguments. The accused are required to be present in court on September 25 for their 313 statements.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Prasad Purohit’s plea to recall a witness was rejected by the court, stating it wouldn’t be proper based on “unseen, uncertain, and unproduced documents.”
The 2008 Malegaon blast resulted in six deaths and over 100 injuries. The case was initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti Terror Squad (ATS) before being transferred to the NIA in 2011. In 2016, the NIA filed a chargesheet absolving Pragya Thakur and three other accused, citing a lack of evidence. However, in 2017, the NIA court ruled that Pragya Thakur would face charges.
The trial began in 2018 with the examination of the first witness. Now, the case proceeds to the accused’s statements and final arguments.