BJP releases statement on Sadhvi Pragya's remarks on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, calls it 'personal remark perhaps given because of mental & physical torture she faced'. Read here

BJP has released a statement over Sadhvi Pragya's comment on the late former Mumbai ATS chief and 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare.

"BJP considers him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental & physical torture she had faced," the statement read

Speaking in Bhopal, Sadhvi Pragya had accused Hemant Karkare of holding her in custody illegally and trying to concoct evidence against her; adding that he had died as a result of her curse after the Mumbai ATS chief had questioned her in custody during the investigation into the 2008 Malegaon Blasts case in which she is a key accused.

"He asked me many questions regarding the incident. I said I don't know, God knows. And he replied that for knowing the answer, do I need to go and ask God? And I said, if needed, you should go and visit him. You will find it difficult to believe when I cursed him that 'you will be annihilated', and just over a month later (which is the period of mourning when a person dies), he was killed by terrorists, marking his end." said Thakur.

WATCH: BJP Distances Itself From Sadhvi Pragya's Controversial Statement That 26/11 Martyr Hemant Karkare 'died Due To Her Annihilation Curse'

Earlier on Friday, National General Secretary Ram Madhav also spoke about Sadhvi Pragya's comment, he said "Personal trauma often overpowers judgement. We should be careful. Everyone who laid down their lives on the line of duty should be respected.

Karkare was the principal investigator in the 2008 Malegaon blast case and had arrested 11 suspects in October in that year which also included the then ABVP student leader Sadhvi Pragya Thakur. She was later released on bail due to claims of having contracted breast cancer in April 2017 while she still faces trial under other criminal provisions including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

BJP had inducted the 2008 Malegaon blasts accused into the party on Wednesday and announced that Sadhvi Pragya will contest from the Bhopal constituency of Madhya Pradesh against Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh." 

READ | IPS Association Condemns Sadhvi Pragya's Remarks Against 26/11 Martyr Hemant Karkare, Issues Statement