As Mumbai’s Special NIA Court prepares to deliver its verdict in the 17-year-old Malegaon blast case, Shahid Nadeem, the lawyer representing victims, said the trial has felt like a test not only for the accused but also for the victims who were forced to relive their trauma in court.
Recalling the ordeal, Nadeem said, “This has not been just a trial of the accused. The victims, too, have undergone immense hardship. Over 100 injured individuals had to travel 300 kilometres from Nashik to Mumbai, in extreme weather, to show their injuries and recount their suffering.”
He pointed out a specific moment when one of the accused, Swami Sudhakar Chaturvedi, denied that the blasts had even occurred. As a result, victims were asked to physically display their injuries in court. “They showed broken limbs, damaged eyes, and provided hospital records to prove the extent of their trauma,” Nadeem said.
Expressing hope for justice, he added, “Terror has no religion. Our only request is that the real culprits be punished and justice be served.”
The 2008 Malegaon blast killed six people and injured 101 others when a bomb strapped to a motorcycle exploded near Bhikku Chowk, close to a mosque. Initially, 11 people were charged, but the court eventually framed charges against seven, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Shankaracharya alias Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi, and Sameer Kulkarni. All are currently out on bail.
Security has been tightened outside the Mumbai Special NIA Court ahead of the verdict. Visuals showed crowds gathering as the nation awaited the outcome of the long-running case.
Locals in Malegaon expressed cautious optimism. “If the verdict favours those who lost lives, it will be a sign of justice. But if it’s influenced by pressure, then the wait has been meaningless,” a resident said.
Another local demanded government compensation for those affected, stating, “The innocents who died or suffered must be supported. We hope the verdict reflects truth and fairness.”
Meanwhile, defence lawyers remain hopeful of acquittal. Speaking to reporters, advocate JP Mishra, representing Sadhvi Pragya, said, “Truth will prevail.” Similarly, Ranjeet Sangle, representing accused Dhar Dwivedi, said, “We’re confident that the court will acquit all the accused today.”
Judge AK Lahoti had concluded final arguments in April and reserved the verdict, which is now scheduled to be announced on July 31. The case was handed over to the NIA in 2011 after initial investigation by the Maharashtra ATS.
