View source for 2008 Western India bombings-261423

{{Short description|Terror attacks in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
 
{{Infobox event
| title = 2008 western India bombings
| date = {{start date|df=yes|2008|09|29}}
| deaths = 6
| injuries = 101
| location = [[India]]
}}

{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}
On 29 September 2008 three bombs exploded in the states of [[western India|Gujarat and Maharashtra]] of [[India]] killing 6 people and injuring over 100.<ref name=press>{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/5-killed-80-injured-in-blasts-in-guj-maha-towns/367394/|title=06 killed, 80 injured in blasts in Gujarat, Mahashtra towns |date=29 September 2008|agency=Press Trust of India|work=The Indian Express|access-date=29 September 2008}}</ref> Two bombs went off in [[Malegaon]], Maharashtra, which killed nine people while another blast in [[Modasa]], Gujarat resulted in the death of one person.

[[National Investigation Agency]] initially accused 7 people, including former [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] MP [[Pragya Singh Thakur]], and demanded punishment under [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act|UAPA]]. However after later investigation, NIA acquitted all the suspects due to lack of evidence.

==Background==
India witnessed a surge in terror attacks since May 2008, when a [[13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings|series of blasts]] in [[Jaipur]] killed 63.<ref>{{cite news |last= Majumdar |first= Bappa |title= Unknown terror group claims responsibility |url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/unknown-terror-group-claims-responsibility/story-iuinbeKkvLE0QSQOPLG2gO.html |work=Hindustan Times|date= 15 May 2008}}</ref> Since then, other major Indian cities including [[Bangalore]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nine-blasts-rock-bangalore-two-killed/69540-3.html |title=Nine blasts rock Bangalore &#124; Chaos and {{sic|nolink=y|curiousity}} |date=25 July 2008 |publisher=IBN Live |access-date=3 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805034238/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nine-blasts-rock-bangalore-two-killed/69540-3.html |archive-date=5 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Ahmedabad]]<ref name="Deaths">{{cite web| title =Gujarat police release three sketches| work =[[The Hindu]]| publisher =Kasturi & Sons Ltd| date =6 August 2008| url =http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081004152410/http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| url-status =usurped| archive-date =4 October 2008| access-date =6 August 2008 }}</ref> and Delhi were targeted. On 29 September 2008, police in Ahmedabad, Gujarat foiled another terror attack when 17 bombs were found and defused.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7642937.stm |title=Police 'find 17 bombs' in Gujarat |publisher=BBC News |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081002144900/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7642937.stm| archive-date= 2 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> However, a bomb exploded at a market packed with [[Muslim]]s breaking their [[Ramadan]] [[fasting|fast]], killing one and wounding 15.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26946171 |title=Explosion kills 1, wounds 15 in western India |agency=Associated Press |publisher= NBC News |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008}}</ref>

Another bomb placed near a Temple in [[Faridabad]] was found and defused.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bomb-found-in-Faridabad-defused-by-civilian/articleshow/3540338.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104120050/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-29/india/27925521_1_bomb-faridabad-banke-bihari-temple |url-status=live |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=Bomb found in Faridabad, defused by civilian |date=28 September 2008 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=3 October 2008}}</ref> Furthermore, the bombs were purportedly similar to those that [[27 September 2008 Delhi blast|exploded in Delhi]] two days before this attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Blasts-in-Maharashtra-Gujarat-8-killed/articleshow/3542011.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021220128/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-30/india/27950271_1_cylinder-delhi-blasts-mysterious-blasts |url-status=live |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=Blasts in Maharashtra, Gujarat; 8 killed |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008 |first1=Mateen |last1=Hafeez |first2=Yogesh |work=[[The Times of India]] |last2=Naik}}</ref>

The explosions in Malegaon and Modasa occurred on the eve of [[Navratri]], a major [[Hindu]] festival celebrated across India.<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=58462ebb-1d3d-42c5-962f-a93c44f86424&&Headline=Three+blown+dead%3a+This+terror+run+isn%E2%80%99t+over+yet |title=3 blown dead: This terror run isn't over yet |work=Hindustan Times|date=29 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003001737/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=58462ebb-1d3d-42c5-962f-a93c44f86424&&Headline=Three+blown+dead%3a+This+terror+run+isn%E2%80%99t+over+yet |archive-date=3 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Blast==
The Malegaon blast occurred near a hotel at Bhikku Chowk, Maharashtra. The bombs were allegedly fitted onto a [[Hero Honda]] motorcycle and rigged to detonate.<ref name="hindustantimes2">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=e36f87dc-df91-4445-8fe3-79cfbaa4fc69&&Headline=Situation+remains+tense%3b+curfew+relaxed |title=Malegaon blast: Situation remains tense; curfew relaxed |work=Hindustan Times|date=30 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004142124/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=e36f87dc-df91-4445-8fe3-79cfbaa4fc69&&Headline=Situation+remains+tense%3B+curfew+relaxed| archive-date= 4 October 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref> <!-- what about the Gujarat blast info? --><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/blasts-in-maharashtra-gujarat-towns-4-dead/74634-3.html |title=Four dead in Guj, Maharashtra blasts |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002114844/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/blasts-in-maharashtra-gujarat-towns-4-dead/74634-3.html |archive-date=2 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Modasa]] blasts, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old boy as well as injuries to several others, was the result of a motorcycle bomb that detonated near a mosque at the Muslim-dominated Sukka Bazaar. The incident took place around 21:26 when special Ramadan prayers ([[tarawih]]) were being offered inside the mosque.<ref name="indianexpress"/>

===Aftermath===
IBN reported that after the blast a mob of 20,000 Muslims gathered near the blast site, following which the state of Maharashtra deployed the Reserve Police Force to prevent any mob violence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/malegaon-mob-violence-postblast-patil-appeals-for-peace/74640-3.html |title=Malegaon: Mob violence post-blast, Patil appeals for peace |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081002112334/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/malegaon-mob-violence-postblast-patil-appeals-for-peace/74640-3.html| archive-date= 2 October 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref> The police brought the situation under control after a brief clash with the mob.<ref name="hindustantimes2"/> Gujarat announced plans to deploy police in heavy numbers during the ''[[Garba (dance)|garba]]'' festivities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/security-concerns-wheel-in-drivein-garba-in-gujarat/74641-3.html |title=Security concerns wheel in drive-in Garba in Gujarat |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004200312/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/security-concerns-wheel-in-drivein-garba-in-gujarat/74641-3.html| archive-date= 4 October 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Investigation==
[[Mumbai Police]] deployed [[Anti Terrorist Squad (India)|Anti Terrorism Squad]] to assist the local investigating authorities in Malegaon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ats-team-to-investigate-blast-at-malegaon/story-KmIHYL9xOhyDhpqXxJe5lM.html |title=ATS team to investigate blast at Malegaon |work=Hindustan Times|date=2008-09-30 |access-date=3 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004142119/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e2b9f3a1-b55b-460a-8b60-e600256ece3d&ParentID=e36f87dc-df91-4445-8fe3-79cfbaa4fc69&&Headline=ATS+team+to+investigate+blast+at+Malegaon| archive-date= 4 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Police say that unsophisticated, crude bombs, identical to those that detonated in Delhi 3 days before, were used.<ref name="hindustantimes1"/> The investigation was led by Mumbai Anti Terrorism Squad chief [[Hemant Karkare]], who was later killed in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].

Police across India, especially in Delhi, received a number of [[hoax]] calls and SMSes, hampering the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hoax-terror-calls-smses-give-cops-sleepless-nights/74642-3.html |title=Hoax terror calls, SMSes give cops sleepless nights |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004200253/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hoax-terror-calls-smses-give-cops-sleepless-nights/74642-3.html| archive-date= 4 October 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref> On 5 October, police said they had arrested a man in connection to the bombings. [[Press Trust of India]] reported that further investigations were under way, with more arrests expected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200810/s2382370.htm|title=Man arrested over India blast |publisher=Radioaustralia.net.au |date=5 October 2008 |access-date=6 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081005234708/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200810/s2382370.htm| archive-date= 5 October 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

== Malegaon blasts ==
===Initial ATS Investigation under Hemant Karkare===
ATS arrested several suspects, including [[Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur]] and [[Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit]], alleging their links to a Hindutva outfit called [[Abhinav Bharat]]. Rarely seen as a terror case involving Hindu extremist groups, the investigation sparked the conception of the controversial "saffron terror" narrative.<ref>{{cite web | title=2008 Malegaon explosion: Not enough evidence to establish guilt | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/explainers/2025/Aug/03/2008-malegaon-explosion-not-enough-evidence-to-establish-guilt? }}</ref>
===Procedural Lapses & Allegations of Abuse===
The court later observed numerous investigative flaws: The bike’s chassis/engine numbers were tampered with; [[forensic]] links to it were inconclusive. [[Crime scene contamination]] occurred due to [[mob violence]], and no DNA or ballistic evidence was collected under proper procedure. Police used phone taps and voice samples without [[statutory authorisation]]; electronic devices were not sealed properly, violating custodial rules. <ref>{{cite web | title=Court points out 5 loopholes in Malegaon 2008 blast investigations | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/court-points-out-5-loopholes-in-malegaon-2008-blast-investigations-2764487-2025-08-01 }}</ref>[[Narco-analysis]] reports and other scientific tests favorable to the accused were deliberately withheld from the chargesheet—found to be a major procedural failure<ref>{{cite web | title='Prosecution withheld narco reports favouring accused' | work=The Times of India | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/prosecution-withheld-narco-reports-favouring-accused/articleshow/123051312.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}

===Evidence of Coerced Confessions and Witness Retractions===
Testimony revealed that many witnesses, including [[Milind Joshirao]], were allegedly [[tortured]], threatened, or [[illegally detained]] until they named RSS figures like [[Yogi Adityanath]] and others. The court accepted that these statements were recorded under [[coercion]] and acknowledged thousands of witness statements turning hostile, undermining the prosecution’s credibility.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tortured, told to implicate Yogi, witness told court | work=The Times of India | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/tortured-told-to-implicate-yogi-witness-told-court/articleshow/123051332.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}
=== NIA investigation===
In April 2011, the [[National Investigation Agency ]](NIA) assumed control of the case and in 2016 filed a supplementary chargesheet, dropping MCOCA charges and diverging significantly from the ATS narrative.
NIA highlighted that confessions and many prosecutions under ATS were based on coerced statements and lacked corroboration.
<ref>{{cite web | title=2008 Malegaon explosion: Not enough evidence to establish guilt | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/explainers/2025/Aug/03/2008-malegaon-explosion-not-enough-evidence-to-establish-guilt?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}} 
===Court Trial & Witness Examination===
From 2018 to November 2023, the court heard from 323 prosecution witnesses, of whom over 37 turned hostile. Final arguments concluded in April 2025. <ref>{{cite web | title=Timeline of events in 2008 Malegaon blasts case | website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] | url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/07/31/bom12-mh-court-malegaon-blast-timeline.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}
===Final Verdict (July 31, 2025)===
The Special NIA Court acquitted all seven accused, including [[Sadhvi Pragya Thakur]] and [[Lt. Col. Purohit]], stating the prosecution failed to prove conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt.
The court expressed deep concern over ATS misconduct: missing original documents, [[chain-of-custody]] violations, planting of evidence, and use of coercion during interrogations. <ref>{{cite web | title=2008 Malegaon Blast Verdict: Special NIA Court Flags Evidence Tampering, Recommends Action Against ATS Officers | url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/2008-malegaon-blast-verdict-special-nia-court-flags-evidence-tampering-recommends-action-against-ats-officers?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}} Notably, ATS officers were recommended for inquiry due to suspicions of planting explosive traces (RDX) at accused’s residences.<ref>{{cite web | title=Malegaon blast Judgement highlights contradictions in probe by NIA and ATS | website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] | url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/08/01/bom37-mh-court-malegaon-blast-judgment.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}
The judge emphasised: “Suspicion cannot replace legal proof,” making clear that convictions require proper, reliable, and admissible evidence. 
===Aftermath===
Acquitted accused like [[Sameer Kulkarni]] accused the ATS of manipulation, political conspiracy, and targeting Hindus unjustly during the Congress regime. 
Former ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar claimed he had been ordered to falsely implicate figures like [[RSS]] Chief [[Mohan Bhagwat]] —a claim dismissed by the court due to being recorded under Section 313 and lacking corroboration. His statement was legally inadmissible, though it did not directly evaluate the truth of those claims.<ref>{{cite web | title='Was asked to arrest Mohan Bhagwat, instruction came directly from top', Ex-ATS officer on Malegaon case | website=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]] | url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/was-asked-to-arrest-mohan-bhagwat-instruction-came-directly-from-top-ex-ats-officer-on-malegaon-case-1503465387.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com }}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}

=== Modasa blasts ===
Union Textiles Minister, [[Shankersinh Vaghela]], came out with an allegedly scathing attack on the Gujarat government by saying it was not willing to nab the "real" culprits behind the blast even though the Congress MP from [[Sabarkantha]], [[Madhusudan Mistry]], had pointed a finger at probable suspects. He made the claim that the Gujarat Police had proved itself "useless" while it was heavily politicised in acting only on the orders issued by the Chief Minister's Office. He based this on the lack of arrests in Modesa, Gujarat, while Maharashtra police had already made arrests in the Malegaon case. With the connection to Hindu suspects in Malegaon, he said he too suspected a similar hand in these blasts. He further alleged, "This proves that terror knows no religion and that it was a matter of concern that so far it was only one-sided trend of targeting one community for suspicion and questioning."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/modasa-blast-vaghela-accuses-modi-govt-of-lacking-will-calls-police-useless/378435/ |title=Modasa blast: Vaghela accuses Modi govt of lacking will, calls police useless |publisher=Express India |date=27 October 2008 |access-date=27 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114034949/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/modasa-blast-vaghela-accuses-modi-govt-of-lacking-will-calls-police-useless/378435/ |archive-date=14 January 2009}}</ref>

In Gujarat, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, K.K. Mysorewala, who is heading the probe into the attack, said: "We have summoned some active ABVP members to record their statements to take our probe forward." He, however, refused to name those who have been summoned and the reason behind doing so. The Sabarkantha police have recorded statements from about 500-odd people until 28 October 2008.<ref name="indianexpress">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Modasa-blast--ABVP-members-to-be-quizzed/378587 |title=Modasa blast: ABVP members to be quizzed |work=The Indian Express|date=28 October 2008 |access-date=28 October 2008}}</ref> On 31 October, he exonerated the Malegoan accused from involvement in the Gujarat blasts. He said, "We have interrogated all the five who are currently in the custody of Mumbai police in connection with the Malegaon blast. None of them, however, are involved in the Modasa blast."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Modasa-blast--Police-give-clean-chit-to-Sadhvi--others/380031 |title=Modasa blast: Police give clean chit to Sadhvi, others |work=The Indian Express|date=31 October 2008 |access-date=12 November 2008}}</ref>

On 7 November, it was reported that clues may be emerging. The origin of a readymade Printed Circuit Board (PCB) used in the timer circuit of the bomb may yield greater clues and lead to arrests. Unlike assembled PCBs, the manufacture of a readymade PCB can be tracked with the help of its specific manufacturing design and serial number. Experts in the Physics Department of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS) in the Gujarat capital of Gandhinagar say the readymade PCB consists of two Philips Integrated Circuits (ICs), and some capacitors and resistors mounted on a circuit board in a particular order.

An expert involved with the case said that as a result of such moves "We have short-listed the names of some companies that manufacture PCBs of these types. The list had also been handed over to the Sabarkantha police and they are trying to track the final recipient of the PCB under examination. Though this can be a difficult task, it is not impossible."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/readymade-printed-circuit-board-may-provide-clue-in-modasa-blast/382458/ |title=Readymade Printed Circuit Board may provide clue in Modasa blast |publisher=Express India |date=6 November 2008 |access-date=12 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224022547/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/readymade-printed-circuit-board-may-provide-clue-in-modasa-blast/382458/ |archive-date=24 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/malegaon-2008-blast-case-court-allows-exemption-to-pragya-thakur-as-a-last-chance-9281835/|title=Malegaon 2008 blast case: Court allows exemption to Pragya Thakur as a 'last chance'|date=20 April 2024 |publisher=Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-court-grants-bjp-mp-pragya-thakur-extension-citing-health-reasons-in-2008-malegaon-blast-case|title=Mumbai: Court Grants BJP MP Pragya Thakur Extension Citing Health Reasons In 2008 Malegaon Blast Case|publisher=Free Press Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/16-years-on-victims-of-2008-malegaon-blast-await-justice-3210977 |title=16 years on, victims of 2008 Malegaon blast await justice|publisher=deccanherald}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of terrorist incidents in 2008]]
* [[Saffron terror]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.twocircles.net/2010feb14/batla_delhi_blasts_accused_urge_sc_club_cases_order_trials_delhi.html Batla, Delhi blasts accused urge SC to club cases, order trials in Delhi] – TCN News
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081031074150/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/gentemplate_generic.aspx?template=saffronterror Special: New face of terror]
*[http://www.ibnlive.com/photogallery/984-1.html#view_start Picture gallery of blast sites]

{{War on Terrorism}}

{{coord missing|Gujarat|Maharashtra}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Western India Bombings}}
[[Category:21st-century mass murders in India]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2008|Western India bombings]]
[[Category:2000s in Gujarat]]
[[Category:2008 murders in India]]
[[Category:2008 mass murders]]
[[Category:September 2008 in India]]
[[Category:2000s in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Manmohan Singh administration]]
[[Category:Hinduism-motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:September 2008 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:2008 building bombings]]
[[Category:Anti-Muslim violence in India]]
[[Category:Hotel bombings in India]]
[[Category:Hindu terrorist incidents]]
[[Category:Motorcycle bombings in India]]
[[Category:Mosque bombings in India]]
[[Category:Mass murders in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Crime in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Marketplace attacks in India]]
[[Category:Trials in India]]
[[Category:21st-century attacks on mosques]]