Pragya Singh Thakur briefly hospitalised in Bhopal

Bhopal: Newly-elected Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur, who had been directed to appear before a special court in Mumbai in the Malegaon blast case this week, was hospitalised for a stomach ailment and discharged early Thursday morning.

She was hospitalised on Wednesday night and discharged early Thursday morning, her close aide Upma told PTI, adding that she would return to the hospital immediately after attending a programme here.

On Monday, special NIA Judge V S Padalkar had rejected her application for exemption from appearance in the court this week, in which she had stated that she has to complete formalities relating to Parliament.

The court has said her presence is necessary at this stage in the case. Thakur has one day left to comply with the directions of the court. Upma said, "She (Pragya Singh) is not well. She was hospitalised last night for medication. She is suffering from some stomach-related ailment and was administered injectable medicines". "She was discharged from the hospital this morning and is taking part in a programme as pressed by workers, but she will return to the hospital immediately afterwards as she is not well," she said.

Thakur defeated Congress stalwart Digvijay Singh from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat in the general elections. Thakur is an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. In May this year, the court, which is conducting a trial against seven accused in the case, directed all of them to appear before it at least once a week.

The accused persons are facing trial under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They have been charged under UAPA Sections 16 (committing terror act) and 18 (conspiring to commit terror act).