It has been over a month since the investigation of the 2006 Malegaon serial bomb blasts was handed over to the National investigation Agency (NIA). The government has not notified a court for NIA yet. It has led to delay in hearing the blast cases.
In the first week of April, the union government instructed the NIA to take over the investigation of the 2008 Malegaon blast, wherein members of the right wing outfit, Abinav Bharat, were arrested. However, a special court for the NIA cases was not set up. Legal experts say as per section 11 of the NIA Act 2008, the agency should appoint, or request the government to appoint, a special court within seven days of taking over a case.
“Papers asking for a special NIA court have been sent to the government. The process is going on and will be completed soon,” said Rohini Salain, a special public prosecutor for the NIA cases in Maharashtra. Thirty seven people were killed and around 400 were injured in the 2006 and 2008 Malegaon blasts.
————————-Times of India—————-