Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 6: A significant development has occurred in the ongoing 2008 Malegaon blast trial, as the presiding judge of the Special NIA court, AK Lahoti, has been transferred to Nashik as part of the annual general transfer of district judges. This transfer comes just days before the court was anticipated to conclude final arguments and potentially reserve its judgment in the high-profile case.
The transfer order, issued by the registrar general of the Bombay High Court and encompassing Judge Lahoti along with other judicial officers, is scheduled to take effect when the courts resume operations following the summer recess on June 9th.
The official order explicitly directs transferred judicial officers to prioritize the completion of judgments in cases where hearings have already concluded and to make diligent efforts to dispose of partially heard cases before relinquishing their responsibilities.
During the most recent hearing held on Saturday, Judge Lahoti instructed both the prosecution and defense teams to conclude their remaining arguments by April 15th. A defense lawyer indicated that the court was expected to reserve the matter for judgment on the subsequent day.
The 2008 Malegaon blast incident resulted in the tragic deaths of six individuals and injuries to over 100 others. The explosion occurred on September 29, 2008, when an explosive device attached to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon, a town situated approximately 200 kilometers from Mumbai in the Nashik district of northern Maharashtra.
Among those currently facing trial for their alleged involvement in the case are BJP leader Pragya Thakur, Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, and five other individuals.
The accused are being prosecuted under various sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) as well as the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The initial investigation into the blast was conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). However, the case was subsequently transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011 for further inquiry.