2008 Malegaon blast case: Mob of 15,000 manipulated crime scene, Pragya Thakur’s lawyers claim in court

The blast, which occurred at Bhiku Chowk on September 29, 2008, at around 9.30 pm, also injured over 100 people. Thakur’s lawyers submitted that after the blast, the police could not reach the site of the explosion for over six hours, and therefore could not see any motorcycle or bicycle at the spot.

Pragya Singh Thakur, Sadhvi Pragya, Malegaon blast 2008, Sadhvi Pragya malegaon blast, malegaon blast sadhvi pragya, BJP Sadhvi pragya, indian express

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur (File/Express photo))

A mob of 15,000 people “manipulated” the crime scene after the 2008 blast at Malegaon, claimed the lawyers of BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the incident that claimed six lives. The lawyers also claimed that the mob was “motivated” and “attempted to screen the real culprit”.

The blast, which occurred at Bhiku Chowk on September 29, 2008, at around 9.30 pm, also injured over 100 people. Thakur’s lawyers submitted that after the blast, the police could not reach the site of the explosion for over six hours, and therefore could not see any motorcycle or bicycle at the spot.

However, this was denied by the duty officer at Azad Nagar police station in Malegaon, Sudhir Patil, who deposed as a prosecution witness on Thursday. Patil, on whose complaint the FIR was filed, stated that he had seen a half-burnt LML Freedom motorcycle. He told the court that based on its damaged condition, he suspected that the bomb was planted on it and had mentioned this in his FIR.

Investigating agencies had alleged that the motorcycle, with the registration number MH-15 P 4562, was in Thakur’s name.

Patil told the court that when he, along with a few other police personnel, reached the spot, they noticed the LML Freedom as well as another motorcycle and a few bicycles. He said he also noticed blood stains near the blast site. Patil accepted that after the blast, a mob had gathered and controlling it was difficult. He further said that there was stone-pelting by the mob, due to which two officers suffered injuries, including an officer of the Quick Response Team.

He denied the claim of Thakur’s lawyer, J P Mishra, that the mob had obstructed the police when they reached the spot.

“It is not correct to say that our police team was far from the spot as the mob was not under control, and hence we could not notice the motorcycle or bicycles at the blast site. It is not correct to say that I did not notice the number of the motorcycle,” said Patil.

Story continues below this ad

He was further asked about whether force was used on the mob, to which he said until the time he was at the spot, which was around 2.30 am, no force was used.

Patil also denied a question by another accused, Sameer Kulkarni, that he had given a complaint based on words chosen by “political persons”. His cross-examination will continue on Monday.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram