2008 Malegaon Blast Victim's Father Writes To Bombay HC CJ Seeking Extension Of Tenure Of Presiding Judge [Read Letter]

A 60-year-old resident of Malegaon, Nisar Ahmed Sayyed Bilal has written to the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court seeking extension of tenure of Judge VS Padalkar, presiding over the trial in 2008 Malegaon blast case, who is set to retire on February 28.

Nisar lost his son Sayyed Azhar Nisar Ahmed in the explosion that took place on Bhikku Chowk, Malegaon on September 29, 2008 in the holy month of Ramzan at Bhikku Chowk killing 6 innocent men and women, injuring over a hundred.

"The cowardly bomb blast has not only led to the destruction and loss of life and property but it has also resulted in a psychosis of fear among the residents of Malegaon which continues till date", the letter states.

The letter refers to the high profile accused involved in the case including current BJP MP from Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur and Col. Shrikant Purohit and thereafter praises Judge Padalkar's work ethic. Nisar stated that despite the immense effort by the accused persons to derail the trial, Judge VS Padalkar has managed to depose 140 prosecution witnesses in a fair and just manner. There is no complaint against the Judge even by the accused persons, said the letter.

"The incident took place in 2008. For a decade, the matter was moving at a snail's pace and there was no sign of the trial proceeding despite several orders by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court and Supreme Court for expeditious hearing. The victims were beginning to lose hope in the trial process, but once Hon'ble Judge Vinod Padalkar took charge, he immediately proceeded with the trial tackling all the tactics of the accused persons to keep the trial in abeyance despite Apex Court's direction to conduct trial expeditiously."

Finally requesting the extension of Judge Padalkar's tenure until the completion of trial, Nisar stated-

"We can say that the Judge is conducting the high-profile trial is praiseworthy and dignified manner despite the surmounting influence of some of the accused persons. The poise with which Judge Padalkar has presided over the cases once he took charge is applaudable . Every day, he sits on the dais at 11 am sharp and starts proceeding despite little or no cooperation from accused and also the NIA who have allegedly used every tactic to slow down the trial."

Copy of the letter has also been sent to the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NIA headquarters. 

Click here to download the Letter