Court issues warning to BJP’s Pragya Thakur, mandates attendance at Malegaon trial. Failure to comply may result in consequences. Thakur urged to participate in legal proceedings as required by court. Non-attendance could lead to further action against her.
Mumbai: A special NIA court in Mumbai warned Bhopal BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur to be present on or before April 25 for the 2008 Malegaon blast trial, an accused in the case, else “necessary order will be passed”. The BJP MP given multiple extensions due to her health conditions.
The court recording statements of the accused at the far end of the trial where the court looks through all the evidence that has been presented before it and asks the accused for their opinion. Advocates JP Mishra and Prashant Maggu appearing for Thakur submitted that a medical certificate itself shows that she is undergoing treatment for ‘Manyastambh’ (neck stiffness) and ‘Katigrah’ (lower back stiffness). They submitted that Thakur facing a critical medical condition, and she will hopefully remain present for the April 25 trial.
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The court scrutinised the photostat copy of the medical certificate of Thakur, which showed that the treatment of both the health conditions is underway, and requires therapeutic intervention for approximately a week.
Special Public Prosecutor Avinash Rasal, appearing for the NIA, submitted that though the exemption application supported by a medical certificate, it does not mention that she is unable to move or travel from Bhopal to Mumbai.
Judge AK Lahoti expressed,
“In my opinion, the exemption application should be granted as a final opportunity.”
Previously, the court issued a bailable warrant against Thakur when she didn’t appear in court. The warrant suspended after her legal team explained that she had been hospitalized en route to Mumbai and assured that the BJP MP would appear in court after her discharge.
After her court appearance on March 22, the warrant revoked. This month, the court instructed the NIA to confirm her health status, highlighting that her absence causing delays in the court proceedings.
The Malegaon blast occurred on September 29, 2008, resulting in six fatalities and over 100 injuries. Thakur and six co-accused currently on trial for various charges, including offenses under anti-terror legislation like UAPA, as well as murder and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).