An accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has sought a ban on media and social media reporting on anything related to the case, Indian Express reported today.

The plea was filed by Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit – one of seven people, including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, facing charges – on Tuesday.

Purohit said that until the conclusion of the ongoing trial, “all types of existing media, social media users” should be banned from reporting on “anything and everything” related to the case. Special Judge Prashant Sitre directed the National Investigation Agency and the intervener on behalf of a victim of the blast to file a reply.

Seeking in-camera hearings in the ongoing trial, Purohit also claimed in his plea that all the leading mainstream electronic agencies had been conducting debates and discussions about the case. This, he said, was in contravention of a previous order by the court.

“It is requested that in the interest of justice and conduct of fair trial, the case should be confined to the courtroom and not be allowed to be hijacked by opinion makers and anti-national opportunists,” said the plea, requesting that no media personnel should be allowed in the courtroom.

The NIA had moved a similar application in 2019 for in-camera proceedings, but the plea was dismissed after eleven journalists intervened and opposed the prayer.

Purohit’s plea comes soon after reports of almost 16 crucial witnesses in the case being declared hostile, according to a report by LiveLaw.