In a significant twist in the ongoing Malegaon blast trial, a key witness has claimed in court that he was coerced by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to name Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his earlier statement. The court has now ruled that this statement, which was recorded by the ATS, cannot be admitted as evidence due to the involuntary nature in which it was made.

Special Judge A.K. Lahoti, presiding over the special NIA court, stated that the witness’s confession lacked voluntary intent and, therefore, could not be relied upon in a court of law. The development comes at a critical stage of the trial, as the court continues to hear testimonies and review earlier investigative findings related to the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts.

Witness retracts statement under oath

The witness, whose identity is being withheld for security reasons, appeared before the special court in Mumbai and categorically denied the contents of his earlier statement recorded by the ATS in 2008. He told the court that he was under duress when he gave the statement, and had been "compelled to name political figures including Yogi Adityanath" to align with a specific narrative the ATS was pursuing at the time.

“I was mentally pressured and not in a position to make a free and fair statement,” the witness reportedly told the court.

Following this submission, the defence lawyers moved to have the statement dismissed, arguing that any evidence extracted through coercion violates the principles of natural justice and legal norms under Indian law.

Judge Lahoti scraps statement

Judge A.K. Lahoti reviewed the circumstances surrounding the ATS statement and concluded that there was enough doubt about the voluntariness of the testimony. The court cited legal precedents and procedural safeguards that prohibit courts from accepting any statement that appears to have been made under pressure or influence.

“The statement made to the ATS, as admitted by the witness himself, was involuntary and thus cannot be considered reliable,” the judge ruled.

This ruling not only excludes the statement from the record but may also impact the credibility of other ATS-recorded testimonies in the Malegaon case.

Political storm follows

The case has once again ignited political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the initial approach taken by the Maharashtra ATS during the early days of the investigation. Meanwhile, the BJP and other allied parties have condemned the alleged coercion and called for accountability from the agencies involved.

A senior BJP spokesperson said:

“Dragging the name of a sitting Chief Minister into such a sensitive case without credible evidence reflects the dangerous politicisation of investigative agencies. This is a serious matter.”

On the other hand, leaders from the opposition demand a transparent re-examination of the entire investigation, especially the initial phase when multiple controversial arrests and confessions were made.

About the Malegaon blast case

The Malegaon blast of September 2008 resulted in the deaths of six people and injured over 100 when a bomb exploded near a mosque after Friday prayers in the town of Malegaon, Nashik district, Maharashtra. The case was initially handled by the Maharashtra ATS before being handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.

The case has seen multiple twists over the years, including arrests of Hindutva-linked activists and military personnel, with Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, now a BJP MP, being among the prominent accused.

Legal implications

The court’s decision to discard the witness statement may undermine parts of the ATS case and reinforce criticism about the methods used in the early phase of investigation. Legal experts say this development could prompt further scrutiny of past witness statements, especially if more individuals come forward claiming coercion or pressure.

“This opens the door for several past witnesses to challenge their own testimonies,” said criminal law expert Advocate Nitin Deshmukh. “The defence can now strengthen its argument that the investigation was compromised.”

What next?

The NIA is expected to review the court’s order and possibly respond with a clarification or affidavit defending its present case. Meanwhile, the defence is likely to seek dismissal of other statements recorded under similar conditions, potentially altering the course of the high-profile trial.

The court has adjourned further hearings until next week, where additional witnesses will be examined. The final verdict in the Malegaon blast case is still months away, but the court’s rejection of a politically sensitive statement has already made waves in the legal and political circles of India.

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