[Malegaon Blast Case] Mumbai Court Grants Exemption To Pragya Thakur From Appearance As “Last Chance”, Directs Her To Appear On April 25

Special Judge AK Lahoti however, ordered her to appear without fail from April 25, 2024, onwards to record her statement in the ongoing trial with a warning that failure to comply would result in necessary legal action.

“Considering the medical certificate and submission of Ld. Advocate for accused no.1, I am of the view that, the application deserves to be allowed as a last chance. The accused no. 1 to remain present on or before 25.04.2024, else the necessary order will be passed.”

Thakur sought exemption claiming to be facing critical medical condition and undergoing “therapeutic intervention”.

The prosecution objected to Thakur's application, arguing that although her medical certificate indicates she is undergoing treatment, it does not specify her inability to travel from Bhopal to Mumbai.

The court deemed it appropriate to grant her application only for Saturday as a last chance.

The court had on April 8, 2024 ordered her to appear before the court without fail from April 20, 2024, onwards to record her statement in the ongoing trial after NIA submitted a report verifying that her doctor had advised her to take bed rest.

On April 3, 2024, Thakur filed an application seeking exemption from appearance on health grounds. In the application, she stated that she has sought medical treatment in Bhopal, and the doctor has recommended bed rest, with a medical certificate annexed to the application.

In that application, the court had passed an order directing the National Investigation Agency to verify Thakur's health condition in light of her continued absence from the trial on medical grounds, observing that her continued absence is hampering the trial proceedings.

NIA officer Chorge submitted the compliance report to the court. As per the report, he visited Sarvottam Hospital in Bhopal (MP) and informed the concerned doctor about the order passed by the court on April 3, 2024. The medical certificate annexed with the compliance report depicts that the doctor visited Thakur's house on March 30, 2024, and advised her to take rest.

Earlier, the court had issued a bailable warrant owing to Thakur's repeated non-appearance in the matter. However, the court later cancelled the warrant considering her “ill health” after she appeared before the court.

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.