Centre appoints Judge for Malegaon blast trial

NEW DELHI: The Centre has appointed a Judge for the trial of the 2008 Malegaon blasts. The right-wing accused in the case, including Sadhvi Pragya and Lt Colonel PS Purohit can now move bail applications before the said Judge who may start hearing the matter from next month.

The Home Ministry has issued a notification in this regard following orders of the Supreme Court. S. D.Tekale, Judge, City Civil Court and Additional Sessions Judge, Greater Bombay has been notified as the Judge to preside over a Special Court for trial of the 2008 Malegaon blasts and all other matters arising therein.

The SC had earlier directed on April 15 that a special court be set up and hear the bail applications of Purohit and Pragya besides other accused as well as decide on the applicability of MCOCA in the case. SC in its order had also expressed some prima facie doubts over charging Pragya and Purohit under MCOCA. Both have been in jail since 2008.

The Malegaon blasts case of 2008 has come under a controversy after NIA's former special public prosecutor in the case, Rohini Salian, alleged she was asked to go soft in the case. NIA had denied the allegations and countered that saying the trial in the case was yet to start and the special public prosecutor's work starts only after trial. NIA has earlier objected to bail applications moved by Pragya and Purohit and wanted their custody for interrogation.