Pragya Thakur Ordered to Appear in Court on October 3

The special court hearing the 2008 Malegaon blast case has directed former BJP Lok Sabha MP Pragya Singh Thakur to appear before the court by Thursday, October 3, 2024. Special Judge AK Lahoti, while hearing the final arguments, warned that if Thakur failed to comply, the court would issue appropriate orders against her. During the session, Thakur’s defense team requested an exemption, arguing that her health had deteriorated. They reported that she was suffering from vision problems and had been moved from Bhopal to a private hospital in Meerut for treatment.

While the court refused to grant a permanent exemption, it instructed Thakur’s lawyers to seek exemptions on a hearing-by-hearing basis. It made clear that if she failed to appear by Thursday, the court would be compelled to take further legal action.

Health Issues 

Thakur’s legal team has continuously cited her declining health as a reason for her inability to appear in court. During the hearing, they mentioned her vision problems and the necessity for her to be transferred to a specialized medical facility in Meerut. Despite these circumstances, the court ruled that Thakur’s lawyers must file for exemptions for each hearing and that she should appear when physically able.

Earlier, the court provided Thakur with yet another extension, postponing her mandatory appearance until April 25, 2024 due to her ongoing health issues. She had previously been granted a one-week extension after the prosecuting agency confirmed her need for further medical care. Thakur’s legal team had filed for exemption again, citing a critical medical condition, but expressed hope that she would be able to appear before the court by the new deadline.

In a previous hearing, the court had issued a bailable warrant against Thakur, which was later canceled after she appeared before the court. Thakur's frail health was visibly evident, as she required assistance to move. Her lawyer, Prashant Maggu, argued that she was unable to sit, walk, or even sign documents unaided. He presented her medical certificates to the court, which led to the cancellation of the warrant after the court reviewed the documents and confirmed her need for medical rest.