Dead-End in Malegaon: High Court Slams NIA Over 2006 Blasts Case

The Bombay High Court has called out the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for its handling of the 2006 Malegaon blasts case, which resulted in the deaths of 31 people and injuries to 312 others. The court discharged four accused, criticizing the NIA for ignoring crucial evidence collected by previous investigation teams.

A division bench, led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, pointed out the inconsistencies and contradictions in the chargesheet filed by both the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the NIA, noting that these discrepancies lead the case to a dead end. The bench also referenced historical judgments to emphasize the legal principles overlooked in the current case.

The High Court noted that the NIA failed to build upon the initial investigation by the ATS, which had collected substantial forensic evidence. The court reiterated that a criminal trial is not a fairy tale and that the charges against the four accused could not be maintained due to insufficient and circumstantial evidence.