Lok Sabha elections 2019: Bail cancellation can’t stop me from contesting polls: Pragya

Cancellation of bail can’t be grounds to restrain a person from contesting the election, 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur, who faces a trial under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), said in her reply filed in the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday.

After the Bharatiya Janata Party announced Thakur’s candidature from Bhopal, the father of the blast victim, Sayyed Nisar Ahmed, moved the Supreme Court and the special NIA court, seeking cancellation of her bail and a restraining order to stop her from contesting the polls. The NIA and Thakur on Tuesday filed their replies to the application.

The court is scheduled to hear arguments from all parties on Wednesday.

Thakur said she was granted bail because there was no prima facie evidence against her. She has alleged the application is filed with political agenda, pleaded the plea be rejected with cost. The NIA said it has no jurisdiction in the matter. “The NIA has no jurisdiction to say anything on this matter because the matter of contesting election is not related to this case. It is to be decided by the Election Commission only,” reads the reply filed by NIA.

The agency claimed that the subject of cancellation of her bail is already pending before the Apex court.

First Published: Apr 24, 2019 04:31 IST