Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 2 : Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Saturday criticised the Malegaon blast case verdict, emphasising that terrorism should not be labelled based on religion.
The remarks came after Mumbai's NIA special court on Thursday acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, citing insufficient evidence to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Chavan stressed that terrorism is terrorism, regardless of who commits it, and shouldn't be associated with any particular religion.
Speaking to the mediapersons, Chavan said, "If there is solid evidence, punishment can be given. If insufficient evidence is presented, punishment cannot be given. Terrorism is terrorism, do not label it as a religion."
The acquittal has sparked mixed reactions, with some BJP leaders hailing it as a victory of truth and others demanding apologies from Congress leaders for their past statements on "saffron terrorism". The case dates back to September 29, 2008, when a bomb strapped to a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Malegaon City's Bhikku Chowk, killing six people and injuring 95 others.
The court acquitted the accused due to lack of concrete evidence, despite the prosecution's 17-year-long investigation and examination of hundreds of witnesses.
Chavan suggested that an appeal should be sought in a higher court regarding the verdict.
He emphasised that half-truths should not be spread, urging the media to report his statements fully. He said that while the court gave the verdict, "an appeal should be sought in the higher court regarding both these cases."
Chavan referred to the NIA's court verdict, saying, "The court said there was a blast but did not say who did it. The Indian government should do this work. If you say that it was deliberately lacking, I have no evidence."
The Congress leader referred to Ramdas Athawale's remarks, stating, "If Ramdas Athawale has an honest opinion, he should resign and come out." He reminded that the Malegaon blast case of 2008 was handed over to the ATS by the then government, and later, the NIA took charge in 2014 under Amit Shah's supervision.
Chavan said that everyone has the right to protest, but people must understand the issue properly. "The issue should be taken into account," he said.
Chavan also criticised the state's leadership, saying that the Chief Minister wouldn't comment on the Malegaon blast without permission from Delhi.
"The Chief Minister will not say anything about the Malegaon blast because Delhi is in control of this matter. He will not be able to speak without taking their permission," he said.
The 2008 Malegaon blast case was transferred to the NIA in 2011 from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). After a 17-year-long wait, examination of hundreds of witnesses, the NIA special court on Thursday acquitted all seven people accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and all other charges.
On September 29 2008, six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City's Bhikku Chowk. Originally, 11 people were accused in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against 7, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya.