Mumbai:BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, is unwell and doctors have advised her bed rest, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) stated in a compliance report submitted in a special court on Monday.
After taking note of the report, special NIA judge AK Lahoti allowed Thakur's plea for exemption from personal appearance for the day (Monday). The Member of Parliament from Bhopal, a prime accused in the case, had sought exemption from appearance citing health problems, and the court had asked the central agency to verify her health condition and submit a report by Monday.
The court, however, directed Thakur to remain present on April 20 and onwards to record her statement without fail. The court is recording statements of the accused under section 313 (where the accused personally explains any circumstances appearing in the evidence against him) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The medical certificate annexed with the compliance report states that a doctor visited Thakur's house in Bhopal, verified her health, and advised her to rest as mentioned in the certificate issued by her hospital, it noted.