Maharashtra
2008 Malegaon Blast Case: Bombay HC Adjourns Hearing On Appeal Against Acquittal Over Incomplete Victim Details

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on an appeal against the acquittal of seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case over incomplete details submitted about the appellant family members of victims.
The seven accused acquitted in the case included former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.
Earlier, the HC on Tuesday said it was “not an open gate for everyone” to file an appeal against acquittal in the blast case, and sought details if the victims’ family members were examined as witnesses in the trial.
On Wednesday, the appellants’ lawyer submitted a chart of the details, but the bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad said it was incomplete.
The family members’ lawyer told the bench that the first appellant, Nisar Ahmed, whose son died in the blast, was not a witness in the trial.
Ahmed was, however, allowed by the special court to intervene and assist the prosecution during the trial, he said.
The lawyer added that out of the six appellants, only two were examined as prosecution witnesses.
The high court said the chart did not specify so.
“The chart is confusing. You need to verify it properly. Whether these persons were examined or not, that is the question. The chart is incomplete,” the court said and adjourned the hearing till Thursday.
The HC was hearing an appeal filed by the family members of the six persons who lost their lives in the blast against the acquittal judgment.
On September 29, 2008, an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon town, located about 200 km from Mumbai in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, killing six persons and injuring 101 others.
The appeal challenged a special court judgment acquitting the seven accused in the case, including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.
The HC bench on Tuesday sought to know if the family members were examined as witnesses in the trial.
The appeal filed last week claimed that a faulty investigation or some defects in the probe cannot be grounds for acquitting the accused. It also contended that the conspiracy (of the blast) was hatched in secrecy and hence, there cannot be direct evidence of it.
The petitioners claimed the order passed by the special NIA court on July 31, acquitting the seven accused, was wrong and bad in law and hence deserved to be quashed.
The appeal said the trial court judge should not act as a “postman or mute spectator” in a criminal trial. When the prosecution failed to elicit facts, the trial court can ask questions and/or summon witnesses, it added.
“The trial court has unfortunately acted as a mere post office and allowed a deficient prosecution to benefit the accused,” the appeal said.
It also raised concerns over the manner in which the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted the probe and trial in the case and sought the accused to be convicted.
The state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), by arresting the seven persons, unearthed a large conspiracy and since then, there has been no blast in areas populated by the minority community, the appeal said.
It claimed the NIA, after taking over the case, diluted the allegations against the accused persons.
The special court had, in its judgment, said mere suspicion cannot replace real proof and there was no cogent or reliable evidence to warrant a conviction.
Special judge A K Lahoti, presiding over the NIA court, had said there was no “reliable and cogent evidence” against the accused that proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution’s case was that the blast was carried out by right-wing extremists with the intention to terrorise the Muslim community in the communally sensitive Malegaon town.
The NIA court, in its judgment, had flagged several loopholes in the prosecution’s case and the investigation carried out, and said the accused persons deserved the benefit of doubt.
Besides Thakur and Purohit, the accused included Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retired), Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Harassment of ordinary Muslims in the name of Bangladeshis should stop, Abu Asim makes serious allegations against the government over Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement

abu azmi
Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Worker Assembly Abu Asim Azmi criticized the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah and said that it is the responsibility of the Home Minister and the Central Government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators. The population of Muslims in India has increased due to Bangladeshis. This is completely wrong. The residents of West Bengal and ordinary Muslims are being targeted under the guise of Bangladeshi and Pakistanis. He said that the government is yours in many states and at the center, so how do Bangladeshi infiltrators enter from the border? What action has the government taken against those who forge their documents so far? He said that targeting Muslims under the guise of Bangladeshi should be stopped, just as Karat Soumya is trying to fake the certificates and documents of every Muslim and is targeting Muslims. He said that the government should pay attention to how Bangladeshi infiltrators infiltrate from the Indian border. This is not the job of Congress, SP or other parties. It is the job of the government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistanis and to bring them to justice. But Muslims should not be harassed or disturbed. He said that action is being taken against those officers who are preparing documents for Bangladeshis.
Maharashtra
Mumbai underworld don DK Rao arrested for extortion on Saturday

Mumbai: Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested gangster DK Rao, a member of the Mumbai underworld Don Chota Rajan gang, on charges of extortion. Along with this, the police have also arrested two of his associates Anil Singh and Menit Bhuta. The gangster, along with Menit Bhuta, had collected Rs 1.25 crore from an investor and threatened him with dire consequences, after which the complainant lodged a complaint with the police. The police took action and arrested DK Rao and obtained his remand. The Mumbai Crime Branch had also arrested DK Rao on charges of threatening a hotel owner and demanding Rs 2.5 crore. Along with this, his associates were also arrested.
A hotel owner in the suburban Sakinaka area was threatened and forced occupation of a hotel is also an allegation. A case was registered in this matter in which DK Rao is on bail. Last night, DK Rao appeared in the sessions court in connection with the hearing of his old case. He had gone for an appointment and the police arrested him. In this case, the police are interrogating him and his associates. It is said that DK Rao still has a hold and terror in the Dharavi area and is involved in other illegal activities including weekly summons. The Crime Branch has now tightened its grip on this, which is causing terror in the underworld. In this case, the Crime Branch will also interrogate DK Rao’s associates. Along with this, the Crime Branch will also interrogate the victims who were victims of DK Rao’s harassment.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Addresses Criticism, Urges Shiv Sena Workers To Gear Up For Upcoming Elections

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded sharply to criticism from local leaders, emphasizing that Shiv Sena works on the ground rather than just through posters. Speaking at a rally of party workers, Shinde remarked that while some make foreign trips to London, they often return empty-handed.
Shinde criticized opponents threatening disruption (“humbarada fod”) in the wake of the Mumbai municipal elections, highlighting that his government has provided ₹32,000 crore in aid to flood-affected farmers, exceeding opposition expectations. He also recalled past elections, noting that after setbacks in 2022, the party fought 100 assembly seats, winning 20, and metaphorically “broke humbarada” then—implying that some challenges should be reserved for future confrontations.
Shinde stressed the importance of grassroots workers, stating, “Our party belongs to the workers, not to the master-servant hierarchy. I work as a worker, not just as Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister.” He praised Shiv Sena’s proactive response during crises in Sangli, Kolhapur, Chiplun, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.
He outlined recent developmental initiatives, including a ₹32,000 crore relief package for flood-affected areas and the progress of the Marathwada Water Grid project. Shinde emphasized that the party aims to reach every household, and urged party officials and workers to uphold Hindutva, ensure voter engagement, and maintain organizational discipline.
On elections, Shinde highlighted the role of booth and group leaders in determining success. He advised meticulous verification of voter lists, stressing that errors could cost votes. A special app has been launched for election preparedness, enabling real-time surveys and corrections.
He called for unity within the Maha Yuti alliance, warning against actions that might create divisions, and encouraged party workers to commit to spreading the Shiv Sena’s presence in every home.
Present at the rally were Social Justice and Sambhajinagar Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MP Sandipan Bhumre, MLAs Pravin Jayswal, Vilas Bhumre, Ramesh Bornare, Sanjana Jadhav, city chief Rajendra Janjal, and other senior Shiv Sena leaders and workers.
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