In what could be another twist in the rather controversial 2008 Malegaon blasts investigation, the bail application of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur was turned down by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) led by late Hemant Karkare had made Sadhvi Pragya the main accused for the blasts that killed eight people and injured 101. But on May 13, the NIA filed a charge sheet, which recommended dropping all charges against Sadhvi and five others, which later prompted Sadhvi to file a bail application.
Special Judge S.D. Tekale on Tuesday said, “There are reasonable grounds to believe that the accusations against Sadhvi Pragya are prima facie true.”
“At the prima facie stage, without going into the question of which versions of the witnesses is correct, a safe conclusion can be drawn on the basis of the statement that at the Bhopal meeting, the applicant (Sadhvi) was present, and at the meeting there was a discussion on growing jihad activities in Aurangabad and Malegaon. The accused was asked to do something for its prevention by expanding Abhinav Bharat Sangatan in the said area,” the order said.
On motorcycle used for planting the bomb, which was registered in Sadhvi’s name, the court said, at the prima facie stage, she can’t avoid her connection with it being registered in her name and she being the owner of it. The court also said, “It cannot be said that due to filing of a further report by the NIA, there is any change in circumstances. If this is the position, then merely on the ground that now the NIA has given no objection, it is difficult to accept the prayer (bail) of the applicant.”
There are reasonable grounds to believe that the accusations against Sadhvi are prima facie true: court
