Welcoming the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s decision to drop all charges against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and five others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, the BJP on Friday sought a probe against those who allegedly worked to build a case against her. The Government rejected allegation of interference in the investigation by the agencies and accused the erstwhile UPA of pressurising the agencies during its rule.
“I was of the opinion from day one that Pragya and others have been framed in these cases. All the atrocity a person like Pragya has undergone, I think had there been any other liberal, law-abiding country there would have been a counter investigation against people involved in it,” BJP MP Meenak-shi lekhi told mediapersons.
“There was nothing against her. There was conspiracy over Malegaon and Samjhauta Express blasts and anti-national forces were fighting. People associated with politics worked against the country’s interest. I look with respect at the NIA’s decision in favour of Pragya Thakur,” she said.
Asked about dilution of charges against other accused, including lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, she said she would not give any clean chit to him or speak for or against him as she does not have details of the case against him.
lekhi said she knew Thakur and is limiting her argument to the Hindutva activist.
She dismissed Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s criticism of the Government over the NIA decision, saying he had earlier alleged RSS involvement in the Mumbai attack.
Rejecting any interference by the Government in the matter, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said “Justice should prevail. There should be no interference in handling such cases. Our Government has allowed agencies to work independently.”
“UPA has pressurised agencies in their time. For their own benefits they have given another term to terrorism as Hindu terrorism,” he claimed.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the charge of Congress that the Government is trying to influence the NIA is completely baseless. “NIA is doing its job independently,” he said.