WATCH: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur skips court summons in 2008 Malegaon case citing health reasons, instead goes to attend political event

Newly elected MP from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Thakur has caused yet another embarrassment to the BJP.

She had skipped her summons at the special court in Mumbai where she had to be present on Thursday with respect to the 2008 Malegaon blasts case. But she gave it a miss saying that she had to be hospitalised. However, on the same day, she went to attend a political event - the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations in her state.

This is the for the second time this week Thakur had failed to appear before a court. Her lawyer had told the court that she is suffering from high blood pressure and is unable to travel from Bhopal to Mumbai. But her close aide Upma had said that Thakur was hospitalised for a stomach ailment in Bhopal on Wednesday night and discharged early on Thursday. She added that the BJP MP would return to the hospital after attending an event in Bhopal.

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"She was discharged from the hospital this morning and is taking part in a programme on request of (party) workers, but will return to the hospital immediately afterwards as she is not well," Upma said.

Thakur, who had been directed to appear before the special court in Mumbai in the Malegaon blast case, now has just a day left to comply with the court directions. "She (Pragya Singh) is unwell. She was hospitalised on Wednesday night for medication and is suffering from some stomach- related ailment. She was administered injectable medicines," Upma said.

On Monday, the special court had rejected the application of Thakur, who defeated Congress veteran Digvijay Singh from Bhopal, for exemption from appearance in the court this week. Thakur had sought the exemption for completing formalities relating to the Parliament but the court said her presence is necessary at this stage in the case.

See the visuals of Sadhvi Pragya attending the political event below:

Sadhvi Pragya at the event 

Sadhvi Pragya at the event 

In May, this year, the court, which is conducting a trial against seven accused in the case, including Thakur, directed all of them to appear before it at least once a week.

As the hearing began on Thursday, Thakur's lawyer Prashant Magoo submitted an application before NIA Judge V S Padalkar seeking exemption from her appearance in the court. Magoo said Thakur was suffering from high blood pressure and was unable to travel from Bhopal to Mumbai.

The court granted her exemption for the day and asked her to appear before it on Friday. "Today, the exemption is granted. But she will have to appear on Friday, else she will have to face consequences," the judge said.

The accused persons are facing trial under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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(With agency inputs)