Former MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, acquitted of terror charges in the Malegaon blast case on July 31 after nearly 17 years, made a shocking claim on Saturday, stating that she was “tortured and forced by the investigators to name Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP chief minister Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and others in the case”. The former Bhopal MP said she did not name them, as it was “a clear attempt to coerce her into lying”. Thakur was acquitted along with Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit and five others by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday.The judgment in the case also revealed that a witness who had turned hostile also claimed that he was forced to implicate Yogi Adityanath and four others linked to the RSS, including Indresh Kumar, a senior functionary.&nbsp;<h2>‘Take these names, and we won’t beat you’</h2>&nbsp;“They made me name several people, including Ram Madhav. To do all of this, they tortured me. My lungs gave up... I was detained in a hospital illegally. All of this will be shared in the story I am writing. The truth cannot be buried. I lived in Gujarat, so they also asked me to name Prime Minister Modi (who was then Gujarat's chief minister). I did not take anyone’s name because they were trying to make me lie,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thakur further claimed that she was also pressured to name Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Bhagwat and Indresh Kumar.“They said, ‘Take these names, and we won’t beat you’,” she alleged. She also accused the Congress of fabricating the case.&nbsp;Apart from Sadhvi Pragya and Lt. Col. Purohit, those acquitted were Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (Shankaracharya) and Sameer Kulkarni.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>What was the Malegaon blast case?</h2>&nbsp;On September 29, 2008, an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Muslim-dominated Malegaon during the holy month of Ramzan, killing six people and injuring over 100.&nbsp;The ATS had alleged that the motorcycle used in the blast belonged to Thakur, while Lt Col Purohit brought the RDX from Jammu and Kashmir and stored it in his house.&nbsp;The investigation, initially led by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) under the late Hemant Karkare, led to the arrest of Thakur and Purohit. The ATS alleged the involvement of “saffron extremists” and linked the accused to a larger conspiracy, including other blast cases.&nbsp;The case was transferred to the NIA in 2011. The NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet in May 2016, accusing the ATS of planting RDX traces to frame Purohit.

The Maharashtra ATS alleged that the motorcycle used in the Malegaon blast belonged to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, while Lt Col Purohit brought the RDX from Jammu and Kashmir and stored it in his house. The ATS alleged the involvement of “saffron extremists” and a larger conspiracy.

Former MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, acquitted of terror charges in the Malegaon blast case on July 31 after nearly 17 years, made a shocking claim on Saturday, stating that she was “tortured and forced by the investigators to name Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP chief minister Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and others in the case”. The former Bhopal MP said she did not name them, as it was “a clear attempt to coerce her into lying”. Thakur was acquitted along with Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit and five others by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday. The judgment in the case also revealed that a witness who had turned hostile also claimed that he was forced to implicate Yogi Adityanath and four others linked to the RSS, including Indresh Kumar, a senior functionary. ‘Take these names, and we won’t beat you’ “They made me name several people, including Ram Madhav. To do all of this, they tortured me. My lungs gave up... I was detained in a hospital illegally. All of this will be shared in the story I am writing. The truth cannot be buried. I lived in Gujarat, so they also asked me to name Prime Minister Modi (who was then Gujarat's chief minister). I did not take anyone’s name because they were trying to make me lie,” she said. Thakur further claimed that she was also pressured to name Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Bhagwat and Indresh Kumar. “They said, ‘Take these names, and we won’t beat you’,” she alleged. She also accused the Congress of fabricating the case. Apart from Sadhvi Pragya and Lt. Col. Purohit, those acquitted were Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (Shankaracharya) and Sameer Kulkarni. What was the Malegaon blast case? On September 29, 2008, an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Muslim-dominated Malegaon during the holy month of Ramzan, killing six people and injuring over 100. The ATS had alleged that the motorcycle used in the blast belonged to Thakur, while Lt Col Purohit brought the RDX from Jammu and Kashmir and stored it in his house. The investigation, initially led by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) under the late Hemant Karkare, led to the arrest of Thakur and Purohit. The ATS alleged the involvement of “saffron extremists” and linked the accused to a larger conspiracy, including other blast cases. The case was transferred to the NIA in 2011. The NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet in May 2016, accusing the ATS of planting RDX traces to frame Purohit.

The Maharashtra ATS alleged that the motorcycle used in the Malegaon blast belonged to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, while Lt Col Purohit brought the RDX from Jammu and Kashmir and stored it in his house. The ATS alleged the involvement of “saffron extremists” and a larger conspiracy.

‘I was tortured to name PM Modi, Yogi and Bhagwat in Malegaon case,’ says Sadhvi Pragya

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur has been acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case by a special court in Mumbai on Thursday (July 31). With her, the six other people who were accused in the case were also announced as acquitted. While giving the judgment, the court said the acquittal was due to a lack of credible evidence, not proof of innocence.The 55-year-old politician hails from India’s Madhya Pradesh and came into the limelight after stirring multiple controversies.<h2>‘Keep knives sharp’</h2>In December 2022, Thakur, while commenting on the murder of a Bajarang Dal activist in Shivamogga during a public speech in Karnataka, said, “Keep weapons in your homes. At least keep the knives used to cut vegetables sharp … Just like how knives cut the vegetables, it will also chop the mouth and heads.”&nbsp;The statement led her into a major row, and she was heavily criticised for trying to trigger communal violence.<h2>Objectionable comment on Hemant Karkare</h2>During the 2019 election in the country, Thakur stirred controversy after she compared Hemant Karkare, an Ashok Chakra awardee (the Highest honour in India for bravery) and former Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) chief, with Ravan and Kans (antagonists in Hindu mythology). Karkare was killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Thakur commented on his death and said he was killed due to her curse for accusing her of involvement in the Malegaon bomb blast case.<h2>Called Godse a patriot</h2>In a debate on the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, the DMK's A Raja was giving a reference to Nathuram Godse on why he killed Mahatma Gandhi. Thakur cut him in and said, “You cannot give the example of a deshbhakt.” The statement led her and her party into trouble, due to which the BJP removed her from the position of consultative committee on defence and did not let her participate in the parliamentary party meeting during the 2019 winter session of Parliament.<h2>‘Cow urine can cure Covid’</h2>While the whole world was facing the global pandemic due to COVID-19, Thakur said that our urine extract protects against coronavirus and lung infections. She said she consumed cow urine every day and did not require any vaccine or medicine.<h2>‘The face of Hindu terror’</h2>Thursday's ruling is a possible end to the 17-year-long trial for Thakur. Once labelled the face of 'Hindu terror,' she was accused of arranging manpower for the attack, while Lt Col Prasad Purohit was accused of supplying the explosives. The duo, along with five others.&nbsp;

BJP MP Pragya Thakur was acquitted on July 31 in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case by a special court in Mumbai. The 55-year-old politician has long been in controversy due to her statement. She has also been accused of triggering communal violence multiple times.  

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur has been acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case by a special court in Mumbai on Thursday (July 31). With her, the six other people who were accused in the case were also announced as acquitted. While giving the judgment, the court said the acquittal was due to a lack of credible evidence, not proof of innocence.The 55-year-old politician hails from India’s Madhya Pradesh and came into the limelight after stirring multiple controversies. ‘Keep knives sharp’ In December 2022, Thakur, while commenting on the murder of a Bajarang Dal activist in Shivamogga during a public speech in Karnataka, said, “Keep weapons in your homes. At least keep the knives used to cut vegetables sharp … Just like how knives cut the vegetables, it will also chop the mouth and heads.” The statement led her into a major row, and she was heavily criticised for trying to trigger communal violence. Objectionable comment on Hemant Karkare During the 2019 election in the country, Thakur stirred controversy after she compared Hemant Karkare, an Ashok Chakra awardee (the Highest honour in India for bravery) and former Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) chief, with Ravan and Kans (antagonists in Hindu mythology). Karkare was killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Thakur commented on his death and said he was killed due to her curse for accusing her of involvement in the Malegaon bomb blast case. Called Godse a patriot In a debate on the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, the DMK's A Raja was giving a reference to Nathuram Godse on why he killed Mahatma Gandhi. Thakur cut him in and said, “You cannot give the example of a deshbhakt.” The statement led her and her party into trouble, due to which the BJP removed her from the position of consultative committee on defence and did not let her participate in the parliamentary party meeting during the 2019 winter session of Parliament. ‘Cow urine can cure Covid’ While the whole world was facing the global pandemic due to COVID-19, Thakur said that our urine extract protects against coronavirus and lung infections. She said she consumed cow urine every day and did not require any vaccine or medicine. ‘The face of Hindu terror’ Thursday's ruling is a possible end to the 17-year-long trial for Thakur. Once labelled the face of 'Hindu terror,' she was accused of arranging manpower for the attack, while Lt Col Prasad Purohit was accused of supplying the explosives. The duo, along with five others.

BJP MP Pragya Thakur was acquitted on July 31 in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case by a special court in Mumbai. The 55-year-old politician has long been in controversy due to her statement. She has also been accused of triggering communal violence multiple times. &nbsp;

'Patriot' Godse, 'keep knives sharp': List of controversies around Pragya Thakur, acquitted in Malegaon bomb blast case

An Indian court on Thursday (July 31) acquitted all seven accused in Malegaon blast case, one of India's longest terror trials. The Natinonal Investigation Agency (NIA) court said the families of all six victims of the 2008 blast in will be given Rs 200,000 each, and all injured victims will be given Rs 50,000 as compensation.<h2>About the Malegaon blast case&nbsp;</h2>The blast took place in the Malegaon town in Nashik district of the western state of Maharashtra on 29 September 2008. The accused include former parliamentarian Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit.<h2>What the NIA court said about the Malegaon blast&nbsp;</h2>The NIA court said that while the prosecution proved that a blast occurred in Malegaon, it failed to prove that a bomb was placed in a motorcycle. The court concluded that the injured people were not 101 but 95, and there was manipulation in some medical certificates.&nbsp;It also noted that the ‘Abhinav Bharat’ organisation was used as a common reference by the prosecution, even as there was no evidence that the funds of this Hindu organiastion was used for terror activities. &nbsp;There is no evidence of storing or assembling the explosives in Shrikant Prasad Purohit's residence, the court said. &nbsp;The court also noted that no sketch of the spot was done by the investigation officer and no fingerprint, dump data or anything else was collected for the spot.The samples were contaminated, so the reports can’t be conclusive and are not reliable, it added.&nbsp;The bike allegedly involved in the blast did not have a clear chassis number and prosecution could not prove that it was in Sadhvi Pragya’s possession immediately before the blast, said the court.&nbsp;<h2>Why the Malegaon blast case is unique: One of the longest terror cases with large amount of evidence shared</h2>The Malegaon blast was one of the cases touted as ‘Hindu terror’ by a section of the Indian media. It is one of the most complex and politically sensitive terror trials in recent memory.In the nearly two decades of the case, more than 10,800 exhibits were submitted, and 404 articles were seized and tagged as evidence. The NIA court examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses. Nearly 40 witnesses turned hostile, including some key ones linked to the early Anti-terror Squad (ATS) probe. The trial was heard by five different NIA judges. The prosecution submitted its final written arguments in three volumes, totalling more than 1,300 pages, in April 2025.&nbsp;Both sides were allowed rebuttals, and the verdict was reserved on April 19 before the rulding on Thursday.

The Malegaon blast was one of the cases touted as ‘Hindu terror’ by a section of the Indian media. It is one of the most complex and politically sensitive terror trials in recent memory.

An Indian court on Thursday (July 31) acquitted all seven accused in Malegaon blast case, one of India's longest terror trials. The Natinonal Investigation Agency (NIA) court said the families of all six victims of the 2008 blast in will be given Rs 200,000 each, and all injured victims will be given Rs 50,000 as compensation. About the Malegaon blast case The blast took place in the Malegaon town in Nashik district of the western state of Maharashtra on 29 September 2008. The accused include former parliamentarian Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit. What the NIA court said about the Malegaon blast The NIA court said that while the prosecution proved that a blast occurred in Malegaon, it failed to prove that a bomb was placed in a motorcycle. The court concluded that the injured people were not 101 but 95, and there was manipulation in some medical certificates. It also noted that the ‘Abhinav Bharat’ organisation was used as a common reference by the prosecution, even as there was no evidence that the funds of this Hindu organiastion was used for terror activities. There is no evidence of storing or assembling the explosives in Shrikant Prasad Purohit's residence, the court said. The court also noted that no sketch of the spot was done by the investigation officer and no fingerprint, dump data or anything else was collected for the spot. The samples were contaminated, so the reports can’t be conclusive and are not reliable, it added. The bike allegedly involved in the blast did not have a clear chassis number and prosecution could not prove that it was in Sadhvi Pragya’s possession immediately before the blast, said the court. Why the Malegaon blast case is unique: One of the longest terror cases with large amount of evidence shared The Malegaon blast was one of the cases touted as ‘Hindu terror’ by a section of the Indian media. It is one of the most complex and politically sensitive terror trials in recent memory. In the nearly two decades of the case, more than 10,800 exhibits were submitted, and 404 articles were seized and tagged as evidence. The NIA court examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses. Nearly 40 witnesses turned hostile, including some key ones linked to the early Anti-terror Squad (ATS) probe. The trial was heard by five different NIA judges. The prosecution submitted its final written arguments in three volumes, totalling more than 1,300 pages, in April 2025. Both sides were allowed rebuttals, and the verdict was reserved on April 19 before the rulding on Thursday.

The Malegaon blast was one of the cases touted as ‘Hindu terror’ by a section of the Indian media. It is one of the most complex and politically sensitive terror trials in recent memory.

Why the Malegaon blast case, one of India's longest terror trials, is unique

The Special NIA court in Mumbai has directed all accused of Malegaon 2008 blast case to remain present before the court at least once a week.

The court on Friday&nbsp;expressed displeasure over the&nbsp;absence of Sadhvi Pragya and&nbsp;Lt Col Prasad Purohit from the courtroom.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured. The bomb that was placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

Next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for May 20.

Bharatiya Janata Party has been drawing flak from the opposition since they gave the ticket to Sadhvi Pragya for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Sadhvi&nbsp;was fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal constituency against Congress veteran leader Digvijay Singh.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Special NIA court in Mumbai has directed all accused of Malegaon 2008 blast case to remain present before the court at least once a week. The court on Friday expressed displeasure over the absence of Sadhvi Pragya and Lt Col Prasad Purohit from the courtroom.

The Special NIA court in Mumbai has directed all accused of Malegaon 2008 blast case to remain present before the court at least once a week. The court on Friday expressed displeasure over the absence of Sadhvi Pragya and Lt Col Prasad Purohit from the courtroom. Bharatiya Janata Party's Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in the Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured. The bomb that was placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. Next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for May 20. Bharatiya Janata Party has been drawing flak from the opposition since they gave the ticket to Sadhvi Pragya for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Sadhvi was fielded from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal constituency against Congress veteran leader Digvijay Singh. (With inputs from agencies)

NIA court expresses displeasure over absence of Sadhvi Pragya, Lt Col Purohit 

Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh on Tuesday performed a 'havan'&nbsp;in the presence of Namdas Tyagi also known as Computer Baba and other sadhus at a Maha Yagna organised in Bhopal on Tuesday.

Tyagi said that the Yagna was a form of `Hath Yoga` to ensure Digvijaya`s win in the Lok Sabha elections and added that BJP had "fooled" the community of seers by using the Ram Mandir issue as a political tool.

"BJP has fooled not just the public but the community of seers as well. All sadhus who are with me unanimously say that without a Ram Mandir there will not be a Modi government again, we are holding the Yagna to ensure Digvijay Singh`s win," Tyagi said here.

Namdas Tyagi or `Computer Baba` was appointed the Minister of State (MoS) position under the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

However, he had openly rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being denied the party ticket for the state assembly elections held in Madhya Pradesh.

At the `pooja` Digvijaya is seen dressed in white kurta pyjama seated on the ground while others surround him in a semi circle.

Digvijay Singh will be up against BJP`s MP candidate and firebrand leader Sadhvi Pragya in the Lok Sabha elections.

Bhopal is going to polls in the sixth phase of parliamentary elections on May 12.

The counting of votes will begin on May 23. 
&nbsp;

Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh on Tuesday performed a 'havan' in the presence of Namdas Tyagi also known as Computer Baba and other sadhus at a Maha Yagna organised in Bhopal on Tuesday.

Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh on Tuesday performed a 'havan' in the presence of Namdas Tyagi also known as Computer Baba and other sadhus at a Maha Yagna organised in Bhopal on Tuesday. Tyagi said that the Yagna was a form of `Hath Yoga` to ensure Digvijaya`s win in the Lok Sabha elections and added that BJP had "fooled" the community of seers by using the Ram Mandir issue as a political tool. "BJP has fooled not just the public but the community of seers as well. All sadhus who are with me unanimously say that without a Ram Mandir there will not be a Modi government again, we are holding the Yagna to ensure Digvijay Singh`s win," Tyagi said here. Namdas Tyagi or `Computer Baba` was appointed the Minister of State (MoS) position under the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. However, he had openly rebelled against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being denied the party ticket for the state assembly elections held in Madhya Pradesh. At the `pooja` Digvijaya is seen dressed in white kurta pyjama seated on the ground while others surround him in a semi circle. Digvijay Singh will be up against BJP`s MP candidate and firebrand leader Sadhvi Pragya in the Lok Sabha elections. Bhopal is going to polls in the sixth phase of parliamentary elections on May 12. The counting of votes will begin on May 23.

Digvijaya Singh performs yagna with Computer Baba to ensure win in Lok Sabha elections

Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur apologised for her statement made earlier in the day against 26/11 attack martyr Hemant Karkare. She said that it was her "personal pain"

While taking back her statement, Sadhvi Pragya said, "I felt that the enemies of the country were being benefited from it."&nbsp;

"Therefore I take back my statement and apologise for it, it was my personal pain."

"Hemant Karkare died from the bullets of terrorists from the enemy country, he is certainly a martyr," she added.

Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Thursday, Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya had said that she "cursed" him for torturing her.

"He tortured me and subjected me to harsh abuse which was unbearable. I told him he will be destroyed. A little over a month later 'sutak' (ritual observed after the death of a family member) was going to start...Just over a month later, he was shot dead by terrorists and the inauspicious period ended," PTI reported Sadhvi Pragya as saying.

Karkare was killed along with two other senior police officers while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in November 2008.

Out on bail, Pragya has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 case but is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Meanwhile, BJP in its official statement over the remark, said, "BJP considers him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental &amp; physical torture she had faced." 
&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur apologised for her statement made earlier in the day against 26/11 attack martyr Hemant Karkare.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur apologised for her statement made earlier in the day against 26/11 attack martyr Hemant Karkare. She said that it was her "personal pain" While taking back her statement, Sadhvi Pragya said, "I felt that the enemies of the country were being benefited from it." "Therefore I take back my statement and apologise for it, it was my personal pain." "Hemant Karkare died from the bullets of terrorists from the enemy country, he is certainly a martyr," she added. Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Thursday, Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya had said that she "cursed" him for torturing her. "He tortured me and subjected me to harsh abuse which was unbearable. I told him he will be destroyed. A little over a month later 'sutak' (ritual observed after the death of a family member) was going to start...Just over a month later, he was shot dead by terrorists and the inauspicious period ended," PTI reported Sadhvi Pragya as saying. Karkare was killed along with two other senior police officers while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in November 2008. Out on bail, Pragya has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 case but is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Meanwhile, BJP in its official statement over the remark, said, "BJP considers him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental & physical torture she had faced."

I take back my statement and apologise for it: Sadhvi Pragya on her remark on Hemant Karkare