NIA to probe Malegaon blast case

The state government on Friday informed the Bombay high court that investigations into the 2008 Malegaon blast will now be carried out by the national investigation agency (NIA).

The state government on Friday informed the Bombay high court that investigations into the 2008 Malegaon blast will now be carried out by the national investigation agency (NIA).

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Justice KU Chandiwal was hearing a bail application filed by Lt Col Purohit, one of the accused arrested for alleged involvement in the September 29, 2008 Malegaon blast, when the court was informed of the transfer.

Additional public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde informed the court that a notification was issued by the central government on April 1, transferring the probe into the blasts from the state Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) to the NIA.

Seeking time to respond to the bail application, Shinde told the court that the ATS was in the process of transferring all the papers to the NIA.

Justice Chandiwal has scheduled the hearing for April 29.

The state ATS had arrested 11 persons including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for their alleged role in the blasts, which killed six persons and injured several others.

The NIA has been handed over several cases of bomb blasts that have occurred in the country which were allegedly carried out by saffron groups.