A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday said that the absence of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pragya Thakur in the court is hampering the proceedings in the 2008 Malegaon blast case and directed the National Investigation Agency to verify her health status, The Indian Express reported.
The special court is currently recording the statements of the seven accused, including Thakur, in the case.
On Wednesday, the special judge AK Lahoti said that Thakur, who is the main accused in the case, has been absent from the proceedings for a long time, and considering her medical condition, she was allowed to leave even when she appeared before it on March 22.
“Thereafter, before departing to Bhopal, she did not turn back in court for recording her statement,” the court said. “The presence of accused no. 1 [Thakur] is necessary to record her statement… Due to her absence, it is hampering the court proceedings.”
On March 11, the court issued a bailable warrant against the BJP MP from Bhopal. The warrant was cancelled after she appeared before the court on March 22.
On Wednesday, Thakur’s lawyers sought exemption from her appearance in the court citing health reasons. They said she was suffering from serious ailments and her doctors in Bhopal have advised her to rest.
Her lawyers told…
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