Malegaon Blast: NIA Court Stays Bailable Warrant Issued Against BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur Till Her Discharge From Hospital

The Special NIA Court on Wednesday stayed the bailable warrant it issued against BJP MP and prime accused in the Malegaon Blast Case of 2008 Pragya Singh Thakur after the court was informed that the warrant was yet to be served on her by the National Investigation Agency and that she had been admitted to the hospital.

“Bailable Warrant is unserved. Considering the reasons put-forth in the application, the execution of BW is hereby stayed till accused no. 1 (Thakur) get the discharge from the concerned hospital. The Ld. Advocate for accused no. 1 to file pursis immediately after getting discharge to her. The accused no.1 to file discharge certificate after getting discharge from the concerned hospital”

The Court kept March 27 for further recording of Thakur's statement.

On the earlier date, the court noted that Thakur and some other accused have not been attending the court regularly on the fixed date. The court highlighted that some accused, including Thakur, who are residents of other states, have cited difficulty in obtaining tickets at the last minute as a reason for their absence.

It had pointed out that dates for appearances are given in advance to all accused to address this issue, eliminating the grounds for exemption on such grounds. The court considered Thakur's plea for exemption on medical grounds for the day due to ongoing medication but directed her to be present from February 27 onwards without fail.

Further, the court emphasized that all accused must remain present on the fixed dates assigned to them until the completion of the recording of their statements. It highlighted that staying in Mumbai and seeking medication in the city in case of ill health is a feasible option for the accused.

However, when Thakur failed to appear, the court issued a bailable warrant of Rs.10,000/- against her, returnable on March 20, 2024.

On March 20, Thakur through her advocate JP Mishra filed an application for stay of warrant issued against her. The application stated that Thakur has been admitted in the hospital after alighting at Mumbai Airport.

“NIA has not filed the compliance report of Bailable Warrant till 3.00 pm. So it was asked orally to the officer present on behalf of NIA in the court and he has submitted that for execution of warrant NIA Bhopal and NIA Ahmadabad was intimated.”

Accordingly, the court stayed the warrant till Thakur's discharge from hospital.

The Malegaon blast, which occurred on September 29, 2008, resulted in six fatalities and over 100 injuries when an explosive device attached to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in the town of Malegaon, located approximately 200 km from Mumbai in north Maharashtra.

Initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, the case was later transferred to the NIA in 2011. Pragya Singh Thakur, who is currently serving as a BJP Member of Parliament from Bhopal, is among the accused in the case.

Thakur, along with six others, is facing trial in the case under various sections of IPC, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act, Indian Arms Act, and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. The court is currently recording statements of the accused under Section 313 of CrPC.

Case no. – Spl. Case 100001/2016

Case Title – National Investigation Agency v. Pragyasingh Chandrapalsingh Thakur and Ors