Mumbai: Following her acquittal in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur made a powerful statement criticizing the investigative methods used against her, alleging torture, coercion, and political bias from senior police officials.
Thakur, who was cleared of all charges on July 31, characterized her acquittal as a triumph for saffron ideology, religion, and Hindutva.
In a press conference in Mumbai, she recounted her experience of enduring 24 days of torture while in custody, specifically naming former Mumbai Police Commissioner Paramveer Singh as a key figure in the alleged abuse.
She expressed, "The horrors inflicted upon me are beyond description, as words can only convey so much," and mentioned that she had lodged formal complaints against the officers involved.
Thakur accused investigators of pressuring her to falsely implicate notable individuals, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and BJP leaders Ram Madhav and Indresh Kumar.
"They threatened me, saying, 'If you name these individuals, we will cease the torture.' Their sole aim was to force me into lying," she stated.
She also claimed that the alleged torture led to a rupture in her lung membrane and that she was unlawfully detained at Sushrusha Hospital before being moved to another location.
"I am documenting my experiences. The truth will emerge," she asserted.
Thakur further alleged that during her time in Gujarat, she was pressured to name Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which she refused to do.
"Everyone wanted me to fabricate a story. But I stood firm and did not name anyone," she emphasized.
Describing the case as "fabricated" and "groundless," Thakur accused several officers, including Hemant Karkare, Sukhwinder Singh, and Khanvilkar, of misconduct and coercion.
"Even if we are killed, it will not change our resolve. A true patriot lives and dies for their nation," she declared, vowing to seek justice against those responsible for her alleged mistreatment.
Her statements, infused with religious and nationalist sentiments, are poised to reignite discussions surrounding the Malegaon investigation and the implications of the so-called "saffron terror" narrative.
While her acquittal concludes a lengthy legal battle, the political implications of her remarks are expected to resonate for some time.
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