Ms. Thakur is accused No. 1 in the case.
Mumbai:
Less than a month after a bail order was issued against her for repeatedly missing hearings related to the 2008 Malegaon blast case, a special court in Mumbai has rearrested Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pragya Thakur.
Ms Thakur, the main accused in the case, was also absent from Wednesday’s hearing, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court stating that her continued absence was hampering the trial. The Bhopal MP failed to attend the hearings on several occasions citing health reasons and the court has now directed the NIA to submit a status report on her health condition by Monday, April 8.
The BJP leader, who is out on bail in the case on health grounds, is often spotted playing cricket, basketball and dancing. She did not appear in court in advance after being admitted to the hospital, but attended a public event on the same day.
On September 29, 2008, an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Malegaon, Maharashtra, killing 10 people and injuring more than 100 others. Ms Thakur is accused No. 1 in the case and she and six others are undergoing a rigorous trial. Sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code.
On March 11, the court issued a bail order to Ms. Thakur and noted, “Considering her last application, the court specifically directed the accused No. 1 (Thakur) to remain in court on March 11 and provide medical certificate “Despite the above instructions, she was not present and did not produce original medical records.”
Her lawyer told the court her doctor in Bhopal said she felt dizzy and could travel at her own risk.
The court canceled the bail order on March 22 after the BJP leader appeared in court.
(with PTI input)
