**Witness Alleges Coercion in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case**
A witness in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has claimed that he was subjected to torture and coercion by officers of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to implicate Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This revelation comes to light following the recent acquittal of all seven accused in the case, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit.
Milind Joshirao, one of the 39 witnesses who turned hostile during the trial, testified in court that he was threatened with torture by ATS officers Shrirao and Param Bir Singh. He stated that he was held for seven days at the ATS office, where he was pressured to name five RSS individuals, including Adityanath, in his statement. Joshirao claimed that the officers assured him of his release if he complied, but when he refused, they threatened him with severe consequences.
The court, presided over by NIA Special Judge AK Lahoti, noted that Joshirao’s statement was recorded solely by an ATS officer, raising concerns about its voluntariness and admissibility. The judge emphasized that even if the contents of such a statement were proven, doubts about its authenticity could render it insufficient for legal proceedings.
On July 31, a special court in Mumbai acquitted all accused in the Malegaon blast case, citing a lack of “reliable and cogent evidence.” The court also pointed out significant lapses in the investigation conducted by the Maharashtra ATS before the case was taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
In a related development, a former ATS officer, Mehboob Mujawar, alleged that Param Bir Singh had instructed him to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other prominent figures to create a narrative of ‘saffron terror’ in India. Mujawar was detained by the ATS shortly after the blast and remained in custody for over a week.
The 2008 Malegaon blast, which resulted in six fatalities and over 100 injuries, was initially attributed to individuals linked to the right-wing extremist group Abhinav Bharat, according to the ATS. The recent testimonies and court rulings have raised questions about the integrity of the investigation and the motivations behind the charges.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the outcome of the 2008 Malegaon blast case?**
A: A special court acquitted all seven accused in the case, citing a lack of reliable evidence and highlighting significant lapses in the investigation by the Maharashtra ATS.
