Prosecutor, victim’s father condemn Sadhvi’s comment

Mumbai: Outrage erupted after Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur’s statement on the death of Hemant Karkare. Thakur said that the former Anti-Terrorism Squad chief died during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as she “cursed” him for torturing her.

Public prosecutor Avinash Rasal, who is arguing against Thakur in the NIA court, told The Asian Age that “She (Thakur) should not have commented like that but we cannot take any legal action against her in the Malegaon blast case. The statement she has made is completely political. A person who went through pain normally makes such comments,” said Mr Rasal.

Mr Karkare, along with Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar, was among the police officers killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Prior to that, the state Anti-Terrorism Squad had cracked the September 2008 Malegaon blast case and arrested Thakur and others.

“There is one intervener who has filed an application for not allowing Thakur to contest the election which is pending before the court and likely to come up for hearing next week. It is interesting to see what order the court passes on that application,” said Mr Rasal.

“Every person of this country who has not been convicted for any crime can contest the election. Our Constitution has given the right to him or her and it is up to the party to give him or her a ticket,” said Rasal.

Sayyed Nisar Ahmed (59), who lost his young son Azhar in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, has moved an application before the special National Investigating Agency (NIA) court, seeking to restrict accused Thakur from contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election and cancellation of her bail.

“I will take every step to restrict Thakur from contesting election. She has no right to contest the election. She cheated the court saying she is unwell and needs constant medical observation. If she is unwell, how can she participate in the campaign at Bhopal!” he said.