Pragya Thakur should be given speedy trial: Agnivesh

Activist Swami Agnivesh on Sunday demanded that a fast track court be handed over the case of alleged role of accused Pragya Thakur in Malegon blasts.

New Delhi: Activist Swami Agnivesh on Sunday demanded that a fast track court be handed over the case of alleged role of accused Pragya Thakur in Malegon blasts.

Agnivesh said he met Thakur in Bhopal Jail in the presence of Deputy Superintendent (Jail) for about 90 minutes and claimed that Thakur is ready to "fully cooperate" with all investigations into the case.

He said during the meeting she expressed her desire for a fast track court to decide on the case.

Thakur is one of the accused in the Malegaon blasts case of September 29, 2008, in which six persons were killed and 100 others injured.

Maharashtra Police has filed a chargesheet in 2009 alleging that Lt Col Prasad Purohit was the main conspirator who provided the explosives and Pragya arranged for persons who planted the explosives.

"She told me that she is ready to fully cooperate with all investigations and she stands firm on statements given to Anti-Terrorism Squad," Agnivesh told a news agency.

He said she was suffering from breast cancer and that she had sought bail eight months ago through lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani.

He claimed that the hearing on the issue is adjourned and is being delayed beyond a point.

"I was there not much to find out about the case but more on human rights aspect whether she deserves bail. Personally, I believe that she should be granted bail. Not allow any further adjournments," he said.

He also claimed that she told him that she was subjected to third degree torture earlier and that her three vertebra were damaged leading to a paralytic stroke.

Asked whether he felt that Thakur was innocent, he said, "I don`t have any comment on that. She is saying she is ready for any sort of punishment. Let the judgement be quick. That is what I appreciate."

On his meeting with Thakur, he said, he had similar meetings with Maoists in Tihar and Raipur jails.

"Similarly, purely on human rights aspect, I met her. I had read in newspapers about her condition," he said.

PTI

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