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Pragnya undergoes narco tests

Rahi Gaikwad

MUMBAI: Sadhvi Pragnya Singh Thakur, a suspect in the Malegaon blast case, on Tuesday underwent narco tests at Nagpada Police Hospital here.

While she is in the city at the moment, she is likely to be shifted back to Nashik jail, said Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) counsel Ajay Misar.

However, he did not say when Pragnya was moved from Nashik jail to Byculla jail for the tests.

Earlier, the ATS had conducted the polygraph test on her. However, she may not have to undergo the brain-mapping test, which might be “dropped”, said Mr. Misar.

The ATS, on October 27, sought permission from the Nashik court to conduct brain-mapping, narco and polygraph tests on Pragnya. During the hearing, Mr. Misar argued that Pragnya, who “played a key role” in the blast which killed six and injured 89, was “not cooperating” in the investigation.

He said she was not likely to give details during questioning and therefore the tests were required.

The tests are being conducted on other accused as well – Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu – and reportedly on Sameer Kulkarni.

The ATS has been recording the statements of “many witnesses” in the case, said Mr. Misar.

The statement of a witness was recorded at the Mazgaon Court under Section 161 of the Cr.P.C (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973) which relates to the examination of witnesses by the police.

A statement of another witness was reportedly recorded last week.

However, as the statements are part of the investigation, there is no official word on their content.

When asked about the timeframe for filing a chargesheet, Mr. Misar said investigations were still on and there was no call yet.

He refuted reports that charge sheets are to be filed against ex-Army officers.

The suspects, on their part, have legal representation. Mr. Misar said there were 13 lawyers for eight suspects.

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