Event featuring 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Thakur gets high court nod

The Bombay High Court has granted permission for a religious event in Malegaon, where 2008 Malegaon blast accused and former Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur is among the invitees.

The event, organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, will take place on Sunday for four hours during the day. The Nashik administration had initially denied permission, citing potential law and order concerns due to Thakur’s presence. In 2008, Malegaon was the site of a deadly blast near a mosque, killing six people and injuring over 100. Thakur is one of the accused in the case. Another invitee, Milind Ekbote, has also faced legal action for alleged hate speech.

The organisers, led by Rahul Bachav, had petitioned the court after receiving no formal response from the Nashik Collector, Tehsildar, or the local police, despite submitting their request on February 18. They claimed that authorities unofficially communicated that permission would not be granted and warned of intervention if the event was held without approval.

Following the court’s order, the event, titled ‘Virat Hindu Sant Sammelan’, will now be held at Yashaswi Compound, Satana Naka, Malegaon, on March 30, coinciding with Gudi Padwa. The gathering will feature several religious leaders, including Swami Pragyanand Saraswati Maharaj and Nilesh Chandra Ji Maharaj.

The organisers have already put up banners and posters across Nashik in preparation for the event.