In a significant development, Special NIA Court Judge AK Lahoti, who has been overseeing the trial of the 2008 Malegaon blast case, has been transferred to Nashik. This move comes as part of the annual general transfer of district judges initiated by the Bombay High Court, with the changes set to take effect when courts resume after the summer vacation on June 9.
This judicial reshuffle has sparked concerns among the victims, who fear that the change may cause further delays in the long-standing case. Judge Lahoti is notably the fifth judge to preside over this case, which has been ongoing for 17 years.
The timing of the transfer is particularly critical as it occurs just as the court was nearing the final stages of the trial. In the most recent hearing, Judge Lahoti had ordered the prosecution and defense to conclude their remaining arguments by April 15, with expectations to reserve the case for judgment shortly thereafter.
Victims and their advocates have expressed deep reservations about the impact of this transfer on the case’s progression. Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing the victims, disclosed plans to file an application in the Bombay High Court seeking an extension of Judge Lahoti’s tenure until a judgment is delivered. “We had earlier submitted a letter to the chief justice requesting an extension of his tenure until the judgment is passed,” said Nadeem. He emphasized that justice has already been delayed and that the transfer could introduce further setbacks.
The 2008 Malegaon blast, which resulted in six deaths and over 100 injuries, occurred near a mosque in Malegaon, a town about 200 km from Mumbai. An explosive device attached to a motorcycle was detonated on September 29, 2008, raising serious questions about national security and the involvement of several high-profile individuals.
Among those being tried are BJP leader Pragya Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit, and five others, under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Throughout the trial, the prosecution has called 323 witnesses, while the defense has presented eight.
The case was initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) before being handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.
