The Supreme Court on Friday disposed of a Special Leave Petition filed by Nisar Ahmed Haji Sayed Bilal, father of a 2008 Malegaon blast victim, in 2017, challenging the Bombay High Court’s grant of bail to accused Pragya Singh Thakur, also known as Sadhvi or Swami Purnchet Anand Giri.
Senior Advocate Ejaz Maqbool, appearing for Nisar, submitted that the SLP was filed seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Sadhvi on April 25, 2017, by the High Court, which said “no prima facie” case was made out against her in the case.
The counsel informed the Supreme Court that the trial in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case has concluded after nearly 16 years, with the NIA Court reserving its judgment on April 19. He noted that the court examined 108 witnesses during the proceedings.
Emphasizing the importance of continuity, the counsel urged that Special Judge A.K. Lahoti should not be transferred before the verdict is pronounced.
Although Judge Lahoti is among those proposed for transfer as per a notification by the Bombay High Court Registry, he has been permitted to remain in his position until August 31.
Appearing for the accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Advocate Avdhesh Kumar Singh informed the Court that the judgment in the Malegaon blasts case is likely to be pronounced on May 8. He further added that a direction has been issued for all the accused to be present in court on that day.
Hence, the bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma disposed of the 2017 petition challenging Pragya Singh Thakur’s bail, noting that the NIA court’s final judgment is expected soon and there is no need for further consideration.
Ordering the disposal of the petition, the court said, “Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Special Court, NIA, constituted under the NIA Act, 2008, in Mumbai, has reserved the judgment in the NIA Special Case No. 1/2016 and in all likelihood may pronounce it this month. Hence, appropriate orders may be made in this petition. Learned Counsel for Respondent 2 also acknowledged the said submissions. In the circumstances, we don’t find any reason to consider this matter any further. Hence, disposed of owing to the aforesaid reasons.”
Thakur, a Bharatiya Janata Party politician, faces charges in the blast that claimed six lives and injured more than 101 people, when an explosive device strapped to a two-wheeler went off near a mosque in north Maharashtra’s Malegaon on September 29, 2008.
Hindu militant outfit Abhinav Bharat is suspected of carrying out the attack.
Earlier, the Bombay High Court had allowed a petition filed by the coordinator of a Hindu organization, the Sakal Hindu Samaj, to hold a Gudi Padwa event at Malegaon to felicitate Pragya Singh Thakur.
