Solicitor general Tushar Mehta appointed lead procecutor in NIA's Tahawwur Rana case
Along with Mehta, additional solicitor general SV Raju, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, and advocate Narender Mann have also been appointed as lead prosecutors in the case.
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
An unravelling: On the Malegaon acquittals
The 2008 Malegaon blast, killing six and injuring 95 others, during Ramzan, was an extreme act of terror. The initial investigation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) posited a chilling conspiracy by Hindutva extremists to exact revenge through a 'blast for a blast', emulating the polarising methods of Islamist terror groups. This narrative seemed solidified by circumstantial evidence, including electronic transcripts of secret meetings and a confession by Sangh Parivar activist Aseemanand. The case was politically fraught from the start. The ATS investigation was a pivotal moment, as it sought to identify perpetrators irrespective of religion, especially after Muslim youth were wrongly charged and later acquitted in the 2006 Malegaon blasts. However, this unbiased approach appeared to falter with the consolidation of Hindutva political power. After the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the agency filed a supplementary charge sheet. Amid allegations that the NIA was under pressure to be lenient, a Special Court rightly ruled in 2018 that a full trial was the best course. Seventeen years later, the final acquittal of all accused, including Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit and Pragya Singh Thakur, leaves a profound sense of unease. Far from refuting the existence of Hindutva-led extremism, the judgment is an indictment of the prosecution's methods and a reminder of how justice can be undone. The court exposed a foundation of unreliable evidence, noting that key witnesses turned hostile, alleging coercion by the ATS — a claim also noted by the NIA. The explosive electronic transcripts were deemed inadmissible for failing to meet mandatory legal safeguards against tampering. The court also rejected the defence of Purohit, who argued that he was a military intelligence officer infiltrating the group, but acquitted him as the evidence failed to meet what it saw as the legal standard for a conviction. The political circumstances suggest a consistent attempt to reframe the alleged acts of terror not as criminal, but with a communal narrative. In 2019, while still under trial for grave terror charges, Pragya Thakur was fielded as a parliamentary candidate by the Bharatiya Janata Party and won from Bhopal. Her political elevation as a Hindutva icon was precisely because of her purported role in fomenting retaliatory attacks against Muslims. Her subsequent career, marked by an endorsement of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, has only confirmed the dangerous mainstreaming of extremist voices. The acquittal lays bare the unsettling reality that when state agencies fail, extremist organisations can get away with heinous crimes. Terror has no single religious face and, without a competent and scrupulous policing, prosecution and justice system, its perpetrators, whoever they may be, can walk free.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
'It Was A Conspiracy': RSS's Bhaiyyaji Joshi Hails Court Verdict On Malegaon Blast
Last Updated: RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi welcomed the NIA court's acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including Pragya Thakur, calling it a vindication. Days after a special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Sunday welcomed the court's verdict, stating that it vindicates the organisation's long-held claims of a conspiracy. 'We were saying for a long time that it was a conspiracy, and after the court's verdict, it has been proved," Joshi said. Joshi emphasised that the verdict is a significant development and called upon government agencies to investigate further to uncover those who allegedly conspired behind the incident. 'This is a big thing. Now, government agencies should look for those who conspired in all this," news agency PTI quoted Joshi as saying. The Malegaon blast case refers to the 2008 bombings in Malegaon, Maharashtra, a town with a significant Muslim population, in which six people were killed and around 100 were injured. A special NIA court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused, including Former BJP MP Pragya Thakur, in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blasts, noting that the prosecution had failed to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had claimed that an explosive-laden motorcycle used in the blasts belonged to Thakur, and she was arrested in 2008. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 23:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Adhere to govt circular for single-site approval, says Udupi DC
Udupi: Deputy commissioner Swaroopa TK said that the govt has already issued a circular granting certain exemptions for single-site plan approvals in the public interest. The DC instructed the engineers of the rural planning department to implement this as per the rules. The DC was speaking while presiding over a meeting held to discuss the issues faced in single-site plan approvals and Form 9/11 in the district on Saturday. Due to the geographical features of coastal areas, it is often not possible to widen roads. In such cases, the govt has issued a circular allowing competent authorities to grant exemptions during design approval. Approval should be granted as per the rules, she said. There were complaints that despite the public submitting applications to the concerned departments for single site plans and Form 9/11, there are delays in obtaining them. Applications should be processed on a priority basis, he added. Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar said that the govt considers the local geographical area of the district from an administrative perspective and grants certain exemptions. Similarly, for Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, and Kodagu districts, several exemptions have been provided for single-site approvals, and a circular was issued previously. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo If approval is granted accordingly, more than half of the issues in the district will be resolved. Officials should act with determination and assist the public. It is wrong to interpret govt circulars according to one's wishes, he said. MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi said that there is a belief among the public that it is not possible to obtain single-site approvals for constructing their buildings in the urban planning authority. The issues found in the submitted applications should be patiently listened to and resolved to facilitate the public, he said. Zilla panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal said that there are complaints about difficulties in obtaining single layout design approval for plots granted under 94C and other approvals provided by the govt for the poor. The circular already issued by the govt precisely indicates what can be exempted. Approval should be granted accordingly, he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
