Hyderabad, July 31 —
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticized the special NIA court’s verdict acquitting all accused in the *2008 Malegaon blast case, calling it *“disappointing” and “deeply unjust.” The blast, which killed six Muslims offering Namaz and injured nearly 100 others, remains one of the most sensitive terror incidents in recent history.
Owaisi, known for his vocal stand on minority rights, expressed frustration over what he termed a “failed investigation” and placed direct responsibility on the prosecution.
“Six Namazis were killed. About 100 were injured. They were attacked for their faith. The prosecution failed these victims,” Owaisi stated in a public address shortly after the verdict was announced.
Owaisi Questions Government Silence, Cites Mumbai Blast Case
Raising a pointed question to both the Modi-led Central Government and the *Maharashtra State Government, Owaisi asked whether they would challenge the verdict in the **Supreme Court. Drawing parallels to the *Mumbai train blasts case, he questioned:
“Will the Modi government and Maharashtra move the Supreme Court and put a stay on this judgement, just like they did in the Mumbai train blasts case?”
Owaisi’s comments reflect a growing concern among sections of the public over the *handling of terror cases involving minority victims. His remarks have reignited debate on whether there is *political will to pursue justice when the victims belong to marginalized communities.
Background: What Was the Malegaon Blast Case?
On *September 29, 2008, a bomb exploded in a busy, Muslim-populated area in **Malegaon, Maharashtra, during the holy month of *Ramzan. Six people died on the spot and nearly a hundred others sustained injuries.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and later the National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleged involvement of *Hindu extremist group Abhinav Bharat. Among the accused were *former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.
The NIA court, however, ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence linking the accused to the bombing, leading to the acquittals. The judgement has sparked both legal and political backlash.