2008 Malegaon Blast | Special Court Issues Bailable Warrant Against Pragya Singh Thakur For 'Continuous' Non-Appearance In Court

A special court on Tuesday (Nov 5) issued a bailable warrant against right-wing extremist Pragya Singh Thakur, the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, for not appearing before the court since June this year.

Special Judge AK Lahoti emphasised that the case at present is at the stage of final arguments and thus Thakur's presence is necessary. The judge refused to accept the contention that Thakur is undergoing 'panchkarm' treatment.

"An application is filed by accused Pragya Singh Thakur seeking permission to grant reasonable time to remain present before this court. The matter is posted for final hearing and the accused is absence since June 4, 2024. Her plea on the count of illness and being admitted to hospital had been considered from time-to-time. The final hearing is going on and presence of accused is necessary and hence, issue a Bailable Warrant (BW) of Rs 10,000 against her, returnable on November 13, 2024," the judge said in the roznama.

Notably, this is not the first time that the special court issued a BW against Thakur for her 'continuous' non-appearance in the special court. A similar such notice was issued in March 2024, however, the same was subsequently stayed 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 vs Pragya Singh Thakur