New Delhi: While recording the statements of those accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, a court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mumbai said that prime accused Pragya Thakur’s absence was “hampering” court proceedings.
Thakur, who is a prominent Hindutva leader as well as BJP MP from Bhopal, asked to be exempt from appearing in court saying she is receiving treatment for health issues in Bhopal and was advised bed rest, LiveLaw reported.
But special judge A.K. Lahoti said on Wednesday (April 3) that he could not overlook the NIA’s argument that Thakur’s health condition needed to be verified as her absence was delaying the trial in the case, the Indian Express reported.
He directed the NIA to verify Thakur’s health condition and submit a report on or before Monday (April 8), the Express‘s report said.
“Moreover, prescription, treatment papers, test papers are not annexed with the [medical] certificate,” Lahoti was quoted as also saying.
The judge also allowed Thakur’s application to be exempt from appearing in court.
Six people were killed and 100 injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon in northern Maharashtra in September 2008.
Thakur spent nine years in jail in the case before being granted bail in 2017.
On Wednesday, Lahoti also noted Thakur’s long absence from court proceedings and said that when she did appear in court on March 22, she did not record her statement.
Noting that the court allowed Thakur to leave on March 22 as well, Lahoti said: “Thereafter, before departing to Bhopal, she did not turn back in court for recording her statement,” the Express reported.
This is not the first time the court has noted spotty attendance by Thakur and other accused in the case.
Earlier last month, the court issued a bailable warrant worth Rs 10,000 against Thakur after she did not appear before it along with her medical certificate as directed.
She appeared before court on March 22 and the warrant was cancelled.
In 2021, she was seen playing basketball and cricket on separate occasions despite being on bail on health grounds.
