In a landmark judgment that concludes a nearly 17-year-long legal saga, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, former BJP Member of Parliament (MP) from Bhopal, was acquitted on July 31, 2025, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai cited a lack of credible evidence as the basis for acquitting all seven accused, including Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit
The Accusation In This Case That Shook the Minds
- The Malegaon blast occurred on September 29, 2008, in the communally sensitive town of Malegaon, Maharashtra.
- A bomb strapped to a motorcycle exploded near a mosque during Ramzan, killing six and injuring over 100.
The motorcycle was allegedly linked to Sadhvi Pragya, sparking allegations of “saffron terror”—a term used to describe violence associated with Hindu nationalist groups.
The Trial and Acquittal
The prosecution claimed the motorcycle used in the blast was registered in Thakur’s name, but the court found no conclusive evidence to support this.
The chassis number had been wiped out, and the engine number was deemed unreliable. However, several tests were done to recover the engine number in question. The investigation agencies granted the engine number based on the investigation.
Witness testimonies and forensic inconsistencies weakened the case, leading the court to rule that the charges were unsustainable.
The court emphasized that the acquittal was due to lack of evidence, not proof of innocence.
Behind the scenes
- In 2008, the government of Maharashtra 2008, based on the bike’s information and registered ownership of the motorbike, arrested MS Sadhvi.
- The case was handed over to ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad). The ATS chief was Shahid Mr. Hemant Karkare.
- Once the court acquitted Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, she broke down in court. She endured those precious 9 years of her life behind bars and the remaining 8 years under pressure. Thousands of types of torture happened to her. She said that all ATS officers, including Hemant Karkare, tortured her to death-like pain.
- They showed her offensive videos and brutally kicked her. She now cannot walk and is in a wheelchair, probably permanently. Bad words and hitting with a wide belt-like weapon were her everyday meal. She could barely sleep during these horrific trials.
- She also mentioned that she was forced to bring the name forward, whom she had hardly ever met before. The names like Gujarat, then chief minister and current PM of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, UP CM Mr. Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mr. Mohan Bhagwat and a few others.
- Upon denial of taking these names, ATS used brutal beatings. Her students (followers) were also captured and beaten brutally. They used ‘third degree’ against all of them. They took every inhuman way to torture and force her to disclose the above names, she said.
- Finally, after 17 years of life-breaking incidents, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and others were acquitted, giving a clean cheat to all.
What remains behind is who forced her to disclose the names of those who were innocent illegally? Who decided to break the morale of Hinduism? Who wanted to spread the agenda of ‘Saffron Terrorism’
Sadhvi took a few Congress party top leaders’ names who forced this incident to happen and tried to spread the ‘Hindu Terrorism’ agenda.
Mumbai High Court finally put an end to these controversies.
Looking at these incidents, people have started questioning whether ‘Shahid’ is really a Shahid?
Now, since the government has recognized him as a Shahid, and he was shot dead during 26/11 duty, everyone must trust the government.
Sadhvi’s Journey: From Ascetic to Parliamentarian
- Born in Madhya Pradesh in 1970, Pragya Thakur was drawn to Hindutva ideology early in life and became a Sadhvi (ascetic).
- She was arrested in 2008 and spent nearly nine years in jail, claiming custodial torture and political framing.
- In 2019, she joined the BJP and won the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, defeating Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh by over 3.65 lakh votes.
- Her tenure was marked by controversial statements, including remarks about Hemant Karkare and Nathuram Godse, which drew criticism even from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Post-Verdict Reactions
- After her acquittal, Thakur declared, “Saffron has won today,” framing the verdict as a vindication of Hindutva ideology.
- She emotionally recounted her ordeal, saying, “I was branded a terrorist for being a sanyasi. This ruined my whole life”. Looking at the fake narratives set by some anti-Hindu leaders, what she is saying is the truth.
- She also alleged that she was tortured and coerced to name senior political figures, including PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath, claims that have reignited debates about investigative dishonesty.
Political Future
- Despite her prominence, the BJP denied her a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, replacing her with Alok Sharma. The decision was reportedly influenced by her controversial remarks and the desire to introduce new faces.
- According to 2024 data, Thakur declared assets worth ₹4.4 lakh, placing her among the least wealthy MPs.
Sadhvi Pragya Thakur’s story remains one of the most polarizing in modern Indian politics—an ascetic turned politician, accused of terrorism, and ultimately acquitted. Her journey continues to stir debate on justice, ideology, and the intersection of religion and politics.
