Was victim of Congress conspiracy: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 27 (ANI): Days after getting bail from the Bombay High Court, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, accused of plotting the 2008 Malegaon blast, on Thursday alleged that she was a victim of the Congress government's conspiracy. "I am a victim of Congress government's conspiracy, I suffered nine years of injustice," Thakur said. Thakur criticised Congress leader P. Chidambaram for linking saffron to terrorism. "For misbeliever, saffron is always linked to terrorism, because they are afraid of it. For the demon, saffron is the strongest weapon," she added. Thakur said she would undergo treatment and blamed the Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) for her ailment. "In 2008, I was illegally taken by the ATS Mumbai and for 13 days I was held captive. I was tortured. I used to be physically fit, but I am not fit now and the ATS is responsible for that," she said. On Tuesday, Thakur was granted bail. She was directed to submit her passport to the National Investigative Agency (NIA) court and appear on the dates mentioned before the trial court. The NIA had informed the court that it had no objection to the court granting bail to Thakur. The High Court, however, rejected the bail of Lieutenant Colonel Purohit. Thakur and Purohit had filed separate appeals. The hearing in Purohit's plea concluded on February 17 while Thakur 's on February 20. The blast took place on September 29, 2008 opposite the Shakil Goods Transport Company in Malegaon. It was caused by an explosive device fitted to a motorcycle. In 2009, the ATS chargesheeted 12 alleged 'Hindu extremists', including Purohit and Thakur for the crime. The ATS chargesheet stated that Thakur 's scooter was used for the blast by prime accused Ram Kalsangra (absconding). (ANI)