India, May 8 -- A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday asked all seven accused in the September 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts case to appear before it on July 31 when the verdict in the matter is likely to be pronounced. Special judge AK Lahoti said the case was voluminous and required more time.

The hearings in the case concluded on April 19 after the prosecution and defence submitted their final written arguments. The special judge, who has been transferred out of Mumbai, was given an extension until August 31, as only the judgement remained to be pronounced.

The verdict is expected 17 years after two bombs concealed in motorcycles exploded near a mosque in a Muslim-majority area during fasting month of Ramzan in ...