Malegaon 2008: A detailed timeline of the blast case

Nearly 17 years after the Malegaon blast claimed six lives, a special court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, noting there was "no reliable and cogent evidence" against them.

No religion teaches violence, the court said. Terrorism has no religion, but the court cannot convict on mere perception, it added.

Below is the timeline of the 2008 Malegaon blast case, leading up to the verdict on July 31, 2025

2008–2009: Blast and initial probe

Sep 29, 2008: A bomb explodes on a motorcycle near Bhiku Chowk mosque in Malegaon, Maharashtra.

6 killed, over 100 injured.

Oct 2008:

ATS arrests Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.

Both are linked to Abhinav Bharat, a right-wing Hindu group.

Alleged motive: revenge attack on the Muslim community.

Nov 2008:

ATS traces the motorcycle used in the blast to Sadhvi Pragya.

ATS Chief Hemant Karkare is killed during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

2009–2011: Charges

Jan 2009: ATS files first chargesheet naming 11 accused; charges under UAPA, IPC, and MCOCA.

Jul 31, 2009: Special court drops Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), citing insufficient evidence.

Jul 19, 2010: Bombay High Court reinstates MCOCA charges.

Apr 13, 2011: Case transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

2016–2017: NIA intervention, bail

May 13, 2016

NIA files supplementary chargesheet.

Drops MCOCA charges, accuses ATS of planting evidence and coercion.

Apr 25, 2017: Bombay High Court grants bail to Sadhvi Pragya on health grounds.

Aug 21, 2017: Supreme Court grants bail to Lt Col Purohit after 9 years in jail.

Dec 27, 2017:

Special court refuses to discharge accused.

Orders trial under UAPA, IPC, and Explosive Substances Act.

2018–2025: Trial and verdict

Oct 30, 2018: Charges formally framed against 7 accused.

Dec 2018: Trial begins.

Sep 2023:

Prosecution concludes.

323 witnesses examined, 37 turn hostile.

Apr 19, 2025: Final arguments conclude, court reserves judgment.

Jul 31, 2025: Verdict announced.

All 7 accused acquitted.