Why Celebrations? MCOCA dropped; Terror Charges remain

ONI Bureau: Some TV channels are going go gaga over the dropping of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all accused in 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, including Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. Times Now has even called it as ‘Big Vindication for all Hindus’ in a desperate bid to put the UPA Govt in the dock.

However, truth remains otherwise and it’s bitter too. The special NIA court in Mumbai rejected their application for discharge, saying they would be tried for committing a terror act.

They will now face trial under Sections 16 (committing a terror act) 18 (punishment for conspiracy), 120B, 326 and 307 IPC . The court also made it clear that Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur can’t be exonerated of the charges as she was aware about the motorcycle being used for the conspiracy.

Lt. Col. Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya Singh and others were accused of plotting the blasts as part of a plan by Hindu right wing group, Abhinav Bharat.

If one reads the court’s orders properly, there would be hardly any reason for celebrations. They remain key accused and would face anti-terror trial. Let the court decide their fate.