Malegaon blast: 2 NIA accused granted bail by HC

In a major setback to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Bombay high court on Wednesday granted bail to two accused in the September 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, after observing that there was no material to connect the duo to the blast.

In a major setback to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Bombay high court on Wednesday granted bail to two accused in the September 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, after observing that there was no material to connect the duo to the blast.

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Shivnarayan Kalsangra and Shyam Sahu, in custody since October 2008, were granted bail on a surety of Rs one lakh each.

"There is no sufficient material to show prima facie involvement of the two accused in the blast case. They have not taken any active part in the blast conspiracy. The only link of these two accused to the blast case is that they knew the prime accused Ramchandra Kalsangra, who is yet to be arrested," justice A M Thipsay remarked while granting bail.

The court further observed that though the duo were aware about Ramchandra's involvement in unlawful activities and about his strong philosophy for Hindutava, it is not sufficient to accuse them of being part of the conspiracy.

The court, however, observed that while there is material against Ramchandra, there is no incriminating evidence against Shivnarayan and Shyam.

Shivnarayan is Ramchandra's brother and Shyam was his business partner. Ramchandra is still absconding in the case.