Malegaon blast: Supreme court issues notice to Maharashtra government, NIA

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Maharashtra Government and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding Malegaon blast accused Lt. Col. Purohit's bail plea challenged by him after the Bombay High Court's rejection. The apex court has sought a reply in four weeks.

After the Bombay High Court rejected the appeal filed by Purohit against the special court order rejecting his bail in the case, he had moved the apex court earlier on April 28 seeking bail. On April 25, the Bombay High Court had in its order refused to grant bail to Purohit.

Lawyer, Neela Gokhale had mentioned the matter before the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar. The Supreme Court, however, said it would hear the matter in the due course of timing.

Purohit is facing charges of murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons, promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and is also being charged with relevant sections under The Arms Act, The Indian Explosive Substance Act, and UAPA.

In the same case, another prime accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was granted bail on April 25. She was directed to submit her passport to the National Investigative Agency (NIA) court and appear on the dates mentioned before the trial court. The NIA had informed the court that it had no objection to the court granting bail to Thakur.

The blast took place on September 29, 2008, opposite the Shakil Goods Transport Company in Malegaon. It was caused by an explosive device fitted to a motorcycle.

In 2009, the ATS charged sheeted 12 alleged 'Hindu extremists', including Col. Purohit and Thakur for the crime. The ATS charge sheet stated that Thakur's scooter was used for the blast by prime accused Ram Kalsangra (absconding).

-ANI