On September 29, 2008, one of the holiest nights of Ramadan, Bhikku Chowk, nestled at the intersection of three mosques in Malegaon, a bomb strapped to a motorcycle detonated at 9.33 pm. The blast killed six and left over a 100 injured. Seventeen years later, on July 31, Bhikku Chowk — now renamed Shaheed Hemant Karkare Chowk — wears a grim silence. The special NIA court has acquitted all accused. For the people of Malegaon, the true victims, this is the worst betrayal.

It is September 29, 2008, one of the holiest nights of Ramadan. Bhikku Chowk, nestled at the intersection of three mosques in Malegaon, hums with life as Namazis offer Tarawih prayers. Police barricades block bikers from entering the women-only market, where burqa-clad women shop frantically for Eid. Tea stalls and snack vendors brace for the post-prayer rush. Ten-year-old Farheen, in a sky-blue dress, steps out to buy beef tikkis from a nearby cart. Mohammed Ishaque, 20, sips tea at Nisar Dairy. Abdullah Ansari, 75, owner of Shakeel Goods Transport, grows uneasy about an unattended motorcycle parked outside his office. Despite his complaint to the local police chowki via Nisar Dairy’s waiter Iqbal, an hour earlier, it remains ignored. At 9.33 pm, a bomb strapped to that motorcycle detonates. Farheen bears the blast’s full force, killed instantly. Ishaque and Ansari survive, scarred by severe injuries.

Seventeen years later, on July 31, Bhikku Chowk — now renamed Shaheed Hemant Karkare Chowk — wears a grim silence. A special NIA court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit. Justice, inscribed in black ink on judicial paper, feels hollow. For the people of Malegaon, the true victims, it is a betrayal that stings the heart.