August 2, 2025

Seventeen years have passed since the devastating Malegaon blast, and for the families of the deceased, the moment should represent a step closer to justice. Instead, it brings profound disappointment. Many relatives of the victims gathered to express their grievances over the court's recent verdict, which acquitted the accused, leaving them feeling as though justice has been denied. Among them is Shaikh Liyakat, a father from the Hirapura area. His daughter Farheen was just 10 years old when she lost her life in the blast. Liyakat reminisces about that tragic day. 'Farheen stepped out of our rented home near Bhikku Chowk to buy a wada pav when the blast occurred,' he recalled with evident pain. Despite years of hope, he feels despondent as he holds onto his daughter’s photo. 'If the court hasn’t found anyone guilty, who caused this tragedy? We were supposed to see justice served,' he expressed. Liyakat has commemorated her life by feeding young children each year on the anniversary of the blast. Mushtaq Shah, another victim's family member, shared his sorrow as he recalled losing his 75-year-old father, Harun Shah, who was present at Bhikku Chowk for his daily cup of tea when the explosion took place. 'My father was still working at a power loom. He would have lived longer had it not been for that day,' Mushtaq said. His discontent with the verdict is clear, and he urges the government to appeal the decision in a higher court. 'Innocents should not be allowed to go scot-free for such heinous acts,' he asserted. Meanwhile, Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh Supra, an elderly resident whose son-in-law, Rafiq Shaikh, also perished in the explosion, expresses a similar emotional weight. His voice trembles as he recalls how his daughter, Noorjahan, could never recover from the loss of Rafiq and tragically passed away two years later. Rafiq was just a bus driver, stopping for tea at Bhikku Chowk when the blast claimed his life. 'Rafiq was my son-in-law and my only child’s husband. It pains me to see that such acts go unpunished,' Supra lamented. The common thread among these families is their unwavering hope that, even after such a lengthy period, justice will eventually be served. Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing the victims' interests, confirmed that they are determined to pursue legal remedies. 'We will file an independent appeal in the Bombay High Court after reviewing the recent judgments,' he stated, encapsulating the victims' relentless pursuit of accountability. The Malegaon blast occurred in 2006 and claimed six innocent lives, marking a dark chapter in the town's history. The aftermath saw extensive investigations led by figures like the late Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, who was dedicated to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Karkare’s work and sacrifices are not forgotten by the families, who feel that his efforts have been rendered useless by the recent verdict. Despite the pain and disappointment, the families of the Malegaon blast victims are resolved. They continue to gather, remember their loved ones, and demand accountability, driven by a belief that justice cannot simply be taken away. As they march forward, they remind society and the courts that the pursuit of justice, no matter how long it takes, is essential to restoring hope and dignity to all those affected. In a society where such acts must be condemned, voices like theirs keep the conversation alive, striving for recognition and reparation of a tragic past. As they look to the future, these families embody the resilience found in sorrow, and their fight for justice represents a call for truth and accountability that echoes through the years. For them, the quest for justice will continue, not only as a remembrance of their lost loved ones but also as a demand for a safer society for all.

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Tags: Malegaon blast, Justice, Court verdict, Disappointment, Victims' families,