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Bombay HC Discharges Last 4 Accused, Ending 20-Year Probe into 2006 Malegaon Blasts by ATS, CBI, NIA

Target:MPSCUPSC GS-IITeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
23 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:200631 dead312 injuredApril 22, 2026 (HC verdict)April 25, 2016 (Special Court order)October 23, 2006 (Blast date)
Bodies:Bombay High CourtNational Investigation Agency (NIA)Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)Supreme CourtSpecial Court
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Bombay HC discharged the final four accused on April 22, 2026, ending the 2006 Malegaon blasts case after 20 years without a trial.

2.The case saw three successive failed probes by Maharashtra ATS, CBI, and NIA, each implicating different sets of accused.

3.Judicial orders in 2016 and 2026 exposed severe lacunae in evidence, including retracted confessions, unreliable witnesses, and contradictory agency narratives.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Bombay High Court discharged the last four accused in the 2006 Malegaon blasts case, bringing a 20-year investigation by three agencies (ATS, CBI, NIA) to a virtual dead end without a trial. This case highlights critical failures in India's anti-terror probe mechanisms and the judicial scrutiny of evidence.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Case Year2006
Casualties31 dead, 312 injured
Agencies InvolvedMaharashtra ATS, CBI, NIA
Key Accused Discharged13 (9 in 2016, 4 in 2026)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Case Year: 2006
  • ›Casualties: 31 dead, 312 injured
  • ›Target this Data: 31 dead, 312 injured in 2006 Malegaon blasts.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over probe in 2011.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was invoked by ATS.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established under which Act of Parliament?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the 2006 Malegaon blasts case:

1. The Maharashtra ATS initially invoked the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the accused.

2. The Bombay High Court, in its 2026 verdict, discharged the last four accused arrested by the National Investigation Agency.

3. The Special Court in 2016 discharged nine men based on the NIA's finding that a separate set of accused was responsible.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, how many people were killed and injured in the 2006 Malegaon blasts?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was a fundamental lacuna highlighted by the Bombay High Court in the NIA's probe into the 2006 Malegaon blasts?

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