A Mumbai court on Monday issued a bailable warrant against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pragya Singh Thakur, prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon Blast case, for non-appearance during the ongoing trial in the case.
While rejecting the BJP Mp’s application seeking exemption from appearance on medical grounds, Special judge AK Lahoti directed her to appear before the court and pay Rs 10,000 before March 20 for cancelling the warrant.
On September 29, 2008, an explosive device placed on a motorbike went off near a mosque at Malegaon, killing six people and injuring more than 100 people.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) initially investigated the case, which was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency in 2011.
Charges were framed against Thakur and other accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in October 2018.
The prosecution, after producing and examining over 323 witnesses, apprised the court that it had completed the recording of evidence of the accused on September 14, 2023.
Specifically assigned to hear the case, Judge Lahoti ordered all the accused to remain present before the court on the dates specified till the recording of statements without fail.
He further directed them to remain present as and when dates were fixed by the court for conducting the trial.
The Court gave one-day exemption from appearance to Thakur on February 25 on medical grounds. However, she was directed to remain present on February 27 and onwards without fail, adding that in case she failed to obey the court orders, necessary steps will be taken against her.
After the BJP MP failed to comply with the court orders, a bailable warrant was issued against her.