Witnesses tell court of sadhvi's 'role' in blasts

Witnesses tell court of sadhvi's 'role' in blasts

NDTV Correspondent

Monday, November 03, 2008, (New Delhi)

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who was arrested by Maharashtra ATS in connection with the September 29 Malegaon blasts, was produced in a Nashik court on Monday along with two other accused. She was sent to judicial custody till 17 October.

After the hearing, sources said there is further evidence to corroborate her role in the blasts.

They said that eyewitnesses claim to have heard conversation between main accused Ramji Kalsagre and Pragya Singh Thakur. Ramji told Pragya that her motorcycle was used in the Malegaon blasts. Ramji also said that the motorcycle would not be traced to her.

Ramji Kalsagre from Indore is said to be the main person behind Malegaon blasts.

The sources said that Ramji is currently absconding and his brother is in custody.

The eyewitnesses made statements before the magistrate under section 164 of Cr PC, the sources said.

Earlier, Pragya told the court: "I will speak when I get justice."

During the hearing her lawyer told the court that she had sold off the vehicle before the Malegaon blasts. Her accomplice Shyamlal Sahu said that he did not want to undergo Narco tests.

Pragya Thakur and two others were remanded to ATS custody till November 3.

ATS has so far arrested five persons, including retired major Ramesh Shivji Upadhyay and Abhinav Bharat office bearer Sameer Kulkarni, in connection with the blasts, which killed five persons.

The custody of three accused -- Pragya Singh Thakur, Shivnarayan Singh Kalsangram and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu ended on Monday and they have been produced in Nashik court, while custody of two others Upadhyay and Kulkarni will end on November 10.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena and Abhinav Bharat on Monday protested outside the Nashik court against the arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts.

The activists of the two Hindu outfits shouted slogans and displayed banners to condemn the sadhvi's arrest.

Himani Savarkar, who heads Abhinav Bharat, alleged that the implication of sadhvi and other Hindu activists was a "political game".

Sadhvi Pragnya is in the mould of Jhansi Rani. Planting a bomb in a mosque is a clear warning to the Muslims, who have become arrogant because of non-response of Hindus to Islamic terrorism - a clear warning that challenging the Hindus in India is a no-win situation.