NIA not ready to file Malegaon terror case charge sheet at this stage

April 21, 2016

New Delhi, Apr 21: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought more time from a Mumbai court to file a charge sheet in the 2008 Malegaon blast case involving members of Abhinav Bharat, even as Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi refused to decide whether the agency should retain the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act in the case.

Though the case was transferred to the NIA in 2011, it has still not filed a charge sheet owing to the delay in the probe and multiple petitions filed by the main accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, who have questioned the applicability of the MCOCA.

It is learnt that Mr. Rohatgi has only given a “verbal suggestion” to the agency and has not given any written reply. The NIA, through the Home Ministry, had written to Mr. Rohatgi, seeking its reply on dropping MCOCA charges against the 14 accused, including Lt. Col. Purohit and Thakur.

An NIA official said that even if MCOCA charges were dropped, the Sections under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were enough to prosecute the accused.

The NIA recently opposed the discharge of nine Muslim youths despite its charge sheet having named Abhinav Bharat, an extremist group.

The development comes on the heels of a series of moves by the NIA to review cases of “Hindu terror” between 2006 and 2008.

It could be recalled here that Rohini Salian, the then Special Public Prosecutor in the case related Malegaon terror attack carried out by Hindutva extremists during Ramadan, had revealed in 2015 that since the Narendra Modi government came to power, she had been under pressure from the NIA to go “soft” saffron terrorists involved in this case.

Also Read: Modi govt pressurizing me to go soft' on saffron terrorists: Rohini Salian

Comments

RSS killed hemant karkare to destroy evidences.

If Gujrat rioters can become the minister then this is nothing infront of them. Expecting justice from Jumla Government is an foolishness.

You know whose govt. is it....it can twist law to get these criminals out....

Shadhvi should be hanged for the crime she did. May God save my india from Saffron Terrorists.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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