Pragya Thakur seeks speedy trial

Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, one of the accused in the September 29, 2008, Malegaon bomb blast that killed six persons and injured 100, reportedly sought a speedy trial and justice for her as she is already suffering from breast cancer and had a paralytic stroke recently.

She conveyed this to social activist Swami Agnivesh when he met her recently at the Bhopal jail in the presence of deputy superintendent of the prison.

Swami Agnivesh told

The Hindu that Ms. Thakur claimed that she was tortured by adopting third degree methods by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the Malegaon blasts. She was ready to cooperate with the investigation agency, he said adding that the cases against her could be handed over to a fast track court considering her ill-health and also on humanitarian consideration.

Ms. Thakur was initially arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad police along with Lt. Col. Purohit. A charge sheet was filed against her in 2009 alleging that Lt. Col. Purohit was the main conspirator who provided the explosives and she arranged for persons who planted the explosives. Later, the case was transferred to the NIA.

The NIA is also probing Ms. Thakur’s role in the Samjhauta Express train blast and some other cases.