Pragya Thakur’s absence hampering trial: Court in Malegaon blast case

Mumbai: A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday directed the National Investigation Agency to verify the health status of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pragya Thakur saying that her absence in the court hampers the trial in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, The Indian Express reported.

The special judge AK Lahoti brought up Thakur’s absence as the court is currently recording the statements of the seven accused in the case, and she is the main accused.

The court directed the NIA’ Mumbai unit to verify Thakur’s health status through its Bhopal unit and submit a report by April 8

The special judge AK Lahoti said that the BJP leader has been absent from the court proceedings for long, adding that her absence is ‘hampering the court proceedings’.

Thakur was allowed to leave even when she appeared before the court on March 22 on health grounds, Scroll reported.

‘Thereafter, before departing to Bhopal, she did not turn back in court for recording her statement,” the court was quoted as saying, adding, ‘The presence of accused no. 1 [Thakur] is necessary to record her statement… Due to her absence, it is hampering the court proceedings.’

Though the court issued a bailable warrant against her on March 11, it was cancelled after she appeared in the court on March 22.

Thakur’s lawyers sought her exemption from court citing that her doctors advised her rest as she was suffering from serious ailments.

Her lawyers requested sufficient time for her to recover arguing that her physical condition is unforeseen and beyond her control.

The court, however, said the National Investigation Agency’s reply, seeking a verification of her health condition, cannot be overlooked.

“I found substance in it, as accused no. 1 is not in Mumbai and hence, cause cannot be verified,” the court was quoted as saying, adding ‘Moreover, prescription, treatment papers, test papers are not annexed’.