In a major turn of events, a special NIA (National Investigation Agency) court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The list of those cleared includes Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, both of whom were under trial for over a decade. On July 31st, Special Judge A.K. Lahoti not only acquitted the accused but also raised serious questions over the integrity of the investigation conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Most importantly, the court recommended an inquiry against ATS officer ACP Shekhar Bagde for allegedly planting evidence to falsely implicate the accused.

As per the NIA’s probe, two Army officers provided vital testimony indicating that ACP Shekhar Bagde was seen visiting the residence of Sudhakar Chaturvedi on 3rd November 2008. At that time, Chaturvedi was one of the individuals under scrutiny in the blast case. Notably, the NIA took over the investigation from the ATS in 2011 after the central government suspected procedural mishandlings by the state agency.

The NIA chargesheet revealed that Bagde did not have any legal authority to enter Chaturvedi’s residence. Despite this, Bagde unlawfully entered the house and allegedly planted RDX traces to frame Chaturvedi, who was a military informant residing with Lt Col Purohit in Deolali Cantonment, Nashik. This revelation raised alarm about how the case may have been built on a manipulated narrative from the beginning.

The investigation further found that Lt Col Purohit was also arrested on the charges of supplying RDX and conspiring to manufacture explosives. Supporting this claim, the NIA referred to the statements of an Army major and a subedar, both of whom recalled that Bagde discreetly entered Chaturvedi’s home while he was away and placed RDX there. The Army officers also testified that Bagde instructed them to stay silent about the incident. Yet, just two days later, the ATS team raided the same residence and recovered what they said was RDX using cotton swabs.

The special court highlighted this sequence of events and concluded that Bagde’s actions raise strong suspicion of evidence planting. The ATS, when questioned about these irregularities, failed to offer any justification or explanation. This silence further convinced the court that the possibility of deliberate manipulation of evidence was not just speculative but highly probable.

Another disturbing revelation came from the court’s examination of medical records. The judgment noted that several injury reports of the alleged blast victims were signed by unlicensed medical practitioners and altered on request by ATS officials. The court categorically rejected these certificates, calling them fake, and ordered an investigation into the forged medical documents.

The matter had even reached the Supreme Court in 2017 when bail was granted to Lt Col Purohit. The apex court expressed concern about the conduct of the ATS and remarked: “During scrutiny of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry (CoI) carried out by the Army, a different story of assembling of IED in the House of Sudhakar Chaturvedi (A-11) came to light.”

The Supreme Court had also taken note of NIA witness testimonies that further implicated Bagde. “During re-examination of the witnesses by the NIA who deposed before the Court of Inquiry (CoI), it was revealed that they suspiciously found API Bagde of ATS in the house of A-11 when A-11 was not present in the house. On considering the facts narrated by the witnesses, the question arises here as to why API Bagde visited the house of A-11 in his absence,” the court stated.

In light of all these findings, the special court directed that a copy of the ruling be sent to the DGP (Director General of Police) Maharashtra, DG ATS, and DG NIA. It also instructed authorities to probe the falsification of medical records related to 6 out of the 101 bomb victims, especially those certificates issued by unauthorized doctors.

The judgment, spanning more than 1000 pages, provides a damning indictment of the manner in which this case was investigated. It concluded that neither the Maharashtra ATS nor the central agency NIA was able to present any substantial evidence to sustain the accusations made against the seven accused individuals.

Shocking Lapses in Investigation by Maharashtra ATS

The court’s judgment delivered a crushing blow to the prosecution's case, stating that the charges were not backed by strong or verifiable evidence. From beginning to end, the case appeared to rest on shaky ground, riddled with investigative errors and speculative allegations.

The court made it clear that “no cogent material was presented against any of the accused”. A major blow to the ATS came when it failed to prove that the motorcycle used in the blast belonged to Pragya Thakur. The court emphasized that she had embraced a monastic life as a Sadhvi at least two years before the incident, and investigators failed to connect her to any operational involvement in the conspiracy.

Likewise, the evidence against Col Purohit also fell apart during judicial scrutiny. The court pointed out that “no material was brought on record” to show that explosives were ever stored at Col Purohit’s residence. Basic investigative procedures, such as drawing a sketch of the alleged storage room, were entirely ignored. Additionally, the court revealed that the forensic samples collected were contaminated, casting further doubt on the authenticity of the evidence.

The ATS also tried to establish a link between the accused and Abhinav Bharat, a right-wing organization allegedly connected to the blast. But the court rejected this argument as well, noting there was no evidence that the group’s funds were used for any terrorist activity.

In summary, the court’s observations paint a picture of a deeply flawed investigation, where facts were twisted, procedures were overlooked, and innocent individuals may have been falsely implicated. With a growing body of judicial scrutiny now questioning the ATS’s conduct, this case could set a precedent for greater accountability in high-profile terror investigations.

ACP Shekhar Bagde's Past Comes Under Scrutiny Amid Malegaon Blast Case Fallout

The latest developments in the 2008 Malegaon blast case have reignited focus on Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shekhar Bagde, who now finds himself at the centre of multiple controversies. Not only has a special NIA court recommended an inquiry against him for allegedly planting evidence, but Bagde is also facing longstanding allegations of disproportionate asset ownership, which had earlier prompted political outrage and public protests.

Currently posted as ACP with the Thane Police, Bagde’s track record has raised eyebrows in political circles before. In the past, BJP workers in Kalyan have staged protests demanding a formal probe into the “significant assets” owned by Bagde. These protests reflected deep-rooted public dissatisfaction and suspicion about how a government official could accumulate such a level of wealth.

On July 31st, while delivering the final verdict in the Malegaon blast case, Special Judge A.K. Lahoti reiterated that a copy of the judgement would be sent to DGP Maharashtra, DG ATS, and DG NIA, recommending an inquiry. The judge also added that authorities must examine the manipulation of medical certificates of six of the 101 blast victims, including those issued by unauthorised medical practitioners “at the instance of the ATS.”

This isn’t the first time the judiciary has highlighted Bagde's questionable conduct. The Supreme Court’s 2017 order granting bail to Lt Col Prasad Purohit had already drawn attention to his role. The order explicitly stated: “During scrutiny of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry (CoI) carried out by the Army, a different story of assembling of IED in the House of Sudhakar Chaturvedi (A-11) came to light. During re-examination of the witnesses by the NIA who deposed before the Court of Inquiry (CoI), it was revealed that they suspiciously found API Bagde of ATS in the house of A-11 when A-11 was not present in the house…On considering the facts narrated by the witnesses, the question arises here as to why API Bagde visited the house of A-11 in his absence..”

Despite these serious allegations, Bagde has denied all charges during his court deposition, calling them fabricated stories crafted by the accused as an “afterthought to save themselves.”

Bagde, originally from Nashik, first garnered widespread media attention in June 2023, while serving as the senior inspector at Manpada police station in Thane. The controversy escalated further when a local political standoff unfolded. During the alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shinde Shiv Sena, the BJP functionaries in Kalyan Dombivli passed a resolution stating they would not support the Shinde Sena candidate unless Bagde was transferred.

The conflict stemmed from a molestation case filed by Bagde against a local BJP leader, which local party members claimed was false. Their anger boiled over into a protest outside the police station. Following this episode, Bagde was reportedly placed on leave for a few days.

The situation intensified when Ajit Pawar, then Leader of the Opposition, demanded an inquiry into Bagde’s property holdings. Pawar alleged that the officer owned a three-storey commercial complex in Deolali, Nashik, a flat in Sumangal Residency, and multiple commercial properties in Tirumala Heights. Further, he claimed Bagde had also made investments in Riddhi Siddhi Construction, owned a flat in Mahavir Amrut Society in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, and held agricultural land in Pandurli and Igatpuri.

Clearly troubled by the extent of the alleged wealth, Pawar publicly questioned how a government officer could amass such a fortune through legitimate means. He also cited several citizen complaints against Bagde and insisted that the government initiate a detailed investigation into the source of Bagde’s assets.

NCP leader Jitendra Awhad later amplified these concerns, tweeting that the list of properties read out by Pawar accounted for “not even 20 per cent” of Bagde’s total holdings. Such public remarks from prominent leaders have only intensified the demand for a thorough inquiry.

Ironically, Bagde has also received prestigious accolades in his career, including the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak and a Director General’s medal, and he has reportedly played roles in significant crime investigations. Yet, these honours now stand in stark contrast to the series of allegations and judicial suspicions that have clouded his reputation.

With the Malegaon blast case ruling reopening questions about false evidence, forged documents, and disproportionate assets, ACP Bagde’s name may soon become synonymous with one of Maharashtra's most controversial police careers.