Following the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh "Bhaiyyaji" Joshi has asserted that the verdict validates the RSS's long-held belief that the accusations were part of a conspiracy. The special National Investigative Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai acquitted all accused, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, citing a lack of credible evidence.

The court's decision has ignited political debate, with some questioning the investigation's integrity and others hailing it as a victory for truth. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also welcomed the verdict, alleging a conspiracy to defame the Hindu community.

Key Points of the Verdict:

• Lack of Evidence: Special Judge A.K. Lahoti stated that while the bomb blast was indisputable, the prosecution failed to produce credible evidence linking the accused to the crime. The court noted the prosecution's failure to present original statements from key witnesses and the mysterious disappearance of crucial documents.
• Doubts on Investigation: The court scrutinized the prosecution's handling of evidence, particularly the missing documents. It also rejected claims by a former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer that he was ordered to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
• Hostile Witnesses: During the trial, 39 witnesses turned hostile, further weakening the prosecution's case.
• Doubts over motorcycle: The court noted that the chassis number of the motorcycle allegedly used in the blast had been wiped out. It also ruled that there was no reliable evidence proving that Thakur owned the vehicle.
• Coerced Statements: A witness, Milind Joshirao, testified that he was pressured by ATS officials to falsely implicate Yogi Adityanath, the current Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, and other RSS leaders. The court also noted that Joshirao's statement had been "written down/recorded solely by an ATS officer,” casting doubt on the voluntariness and admissibility of the statement.

Reactions to the Verdict:

• RSS and VHP: Welcomed the acquittal, claiming that the attempt to link Hinduism with terrorism had failed.
• BJP: BJP leaders hailed the verdict as a triumph of justice. Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stated that "Terrorism was never saffron, is not, and will never be".
• Congress: Congress leaders questioned why no one has been convicted for the crime and alleged a political bias in the investigation. Sachin Sawant, a spokesperson for the Maharashtra Congress, suggested that Rohini Salian, a prosecutor in the case, was asked to adopt a soft stance towards the accused.
• Shiv Sena: While Uddhav Thackeray did not react, his party MLC and leader of Opposition said, “Satya Mev Jayate – truth has prevailed”. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, “The NIA court's verdict has erased the stigma on Hindus today".
• Victims' Families: Families of the blast victims expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and indicated they would explore legal remedies.

Allegations of Conspiracy:

Several individuals and organizations have alleged a conspiracy surrounding the Malegaon blast case:

• RSS and VHP: Claimed that there was a malicious attempt to link the Hindu religion and the entire Hindu society with terrorism.
• Sadhvi Pragya Thakur: Claimed she was tortured and forced to name Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Bhagwat, and others.
• Mehboob Mujawar: A former ATS officer, claimed that he had been asked to apprehend RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in the case to establish a narrative of "saffron terror".

The acquittal of the accused in the Malegaon blast case has brought renewed attention to the investigation and the allegations of conspiracy that have surrounded it for years. With conflicting reactions from political parties and civil society, the debate over the case is likely to continue.