BJP’s Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, has finally made an appearance before a special court in Mumbai to record her final statement regarding the case.
Despite previous instances of non-appearance, citing medical illness, Thakur’s failure to attend court prompted a warning from the special court. The court warned that if Thakur did not appear on April 25, she would face consequences.
Thakur appeared before the special court overseeing cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), yet maintained her illness. She presented her statement in a question-answer format and requested permission to use her thumb impression due to a sudden loss of strength in her palms. The court granted her request.
Thakur, along with six others, is being tried in the case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act, Indian Arms Act, and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
The court is presently recording the statements of the accused under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), marking the final statements before the case proceeds to final arguments and judgment.
Special court judge A K Lahoti scheduled further recording of statements for Friday.
The Malegaon blast resulted in six fatalities and over 100 injuries when an explosive device affixed to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon. Initially investigated by Maharashtra’s Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), the case was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Last month, Thakur’s failure to appear led the special court to issue a bailable warrant against her. However, upon her personal appearance before the court, the warrant was rescinded.
Repeated warnings were issued by the court in the past when Thakur failed to attend to record her statement.
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