Mumbai, August 1, 2025 — In a sharp critique of the judicial outcome in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, have publicly questioned the integrity of the investigation and the recent acquittal of all accused.
The Malegaon blasts, which killed six people and injured several others, were initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) under the late IPS officer Hemant Karkare. However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) later took over the case and altered its stance, leading to the acquittal of the accused.
Tushar Gandhi, a social activist, condemned the verdict, stating that both the Malegaon and earlier Mumbai train blast cases reflect a troubling trend of politically influenced investigations. “They provide the conclusion desired by their political masters rather than serving justice,” he said.
Prakash Ambedkar, a lawyer and political leader, raised pointed questions about the credibility of the probe. “If no one is guilty, who planned and executed the Malegaon bomb blasts? Who killed six people?” he asked. He criticized the NIA for initiating a fresh inquiry despite an existing investigative framework and questioned the disappearance of key documents from the ATS-led probe.
Ambedkar also highlighted the issue of witnesses turning hostile, including some serving army officials who had previously testified about meetings among the accused. “If these witnesses were initially lying, why has the prosecution not sought perjury charges?” he demanded. He further questioned why no departmental inquiry was ordered against ATS officers if evidence was allegedly planted.
In a poetic reflection on the state of justice, lyricist and activist Javed Akhtar posted:
“Police vaalay karein bhi to karein kya / talashein bhi to voh kitna talashein / koi qatil nahin hota kisi ka / khud apna qatl kar leti hain laashein” — a lament on the absence of accountability.
The statements by Gandhi and Ambedkar have reignited public discourse on the politicization of terror investigations and the need for institutional transparency and judicial independence.
