A special court in Mumbai has expressed displeasure over the absence of Pragya Singh Thakur regarding the Malegaon bomb blast in Maharashtra. Bhopal BJP MP Pragya is an accused in this case and her continuous absence is causing problems in the court hearing. The special court has also sought a report from the NIA regarding the health of the BJP MP and has given time till April 8 to submit the report.
BJP MP Pragya Thakur had sought exemption from appearance through her lawyer citing health problems. During the hearing held in the court of Special Judge AK Lahoti on Wednesday, the BJP MP's lawyer again sought exemption.
The lawyer claimed that Pragya Thakur is suffering from cervical-spondylitis and migraine. The application states that her physical condition is out of control, she is undergoing treatment at her home in Bhopal on the advice of doctors. A certificate is also provided with the application.
It is said that during this time the NIA told the court that since Pragya Thakur was not in Mumbai at this time, it could not corroborate her claims. On March 11, a bailable warrant of Rs 10,000 was issued against Pragya Thakur for not appearing during the hearing even after being specifically directed by the court.
However, it was canceled on 22 March. After this the court ordered Thakur to appear on April 3. Also warned that if she did not appear on the scheduled date, a non-bailable warrant would be issued against her. Despite this she did not appear.
On September 29, 2008, six people were killed and more than 100 were injured when a bomb exploded on a motorcycle near a mosque in Malegaon town, about 200 km from Mumbai in northern Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad initially investigated the case before the case was transferred to the NIA in 2011. At present the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court is currently recording the statements of the accused under CrPC.