The Bombay High Court (HC) on Wednesday discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case and quashed a special court order framing charges against them, news agency PTI reported.
A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Shyam Chandak allowed the appeals filed by the four accused — Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh, Manohar Ram Singh Narwaria and Lokesh Sharma — against the special court order.
A copy of the detailed order would be made available later.
The four were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder and criminal conspiracy, and also under the stringent Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA).
On September 8, 2006, four bombs exploded in Nashik district`s Malegaon town — three inside the premises of Hamidia Masjid and Bada Kabrastan just after Friday prayers, and the fourth in Mushawarat Chowk — claiming 31 lives and injuring 312 persons.
The state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which initially probed the case, had arrested nine Muslim men in connection with the case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which later took over the case, claimed the blasts were the handiwork of right-wing extremists and arrested these four accused.
The nine Muslim men had been discharged from the case by a special court.
In September last year, a special court framed charges against the four accused. They then moved the high court against the order.
In January this year, the HC, while admitting the pleas, noted that a prima facie case for interference was made out and stayed further proceedings before the trial court pending the outcome of the matter.
The four accused, in their plea in the HC, claimed that the NIA had failed to produce any evidence against them.
Delhi court grants 45 more days to NIA in Red Fort blast case
The Patiala House Court on Tuesday extended the period of NIA investigation in the Delhi blast case by another 45 days, news agency ANI reported.
The NIA had sought a further extension of 45 days to complete the investigation in connection with two accused — Bilal Naseer Malla and Yasir Ahmed Dar.
The Special NIA Judge granted the extension after considering the NIA`s application filed along with the prosecutor`s report.
Earlier, the Patiala House Court on February 13 had extended the period of investigation for a further 45 days in the Delhi blast case of November 2025.
The NIA had earlier sought an extension of 90 days to complete the investigation in connection with seven other accused persons.
As per law, the period of investigation can be extended up to 180 days. The original period of investigation is 90 days. The NIA has now obtained the extension for the second time.
A high-intensity blast took place in a car near the Red Fort on November 11, 2025.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
