BJP welcomes NIA's decision on Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, says she was framed

New Delhi: BJP on Friday welcomed the NIA decision to drop all charges against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and five others in the 2008 Malegaon blast case and suggested a probe against those involved in building the case against her in the UPA government, saying she was "framed".

In an apparent attack on the UPA dispensation, BJP said there was conspiracy over Malegaon and Samjhauta express blasts cases, in which Hindutva groups were prosecuted by investigation agencies, and some politicians worked against the country's interests.

"I was of the opinion from day one that Pragya Thakur and others have just been framed in these cases. All the atrocity a person like Pragya Thakur has undergone, I think had there been any other liberal, law-abiding country there would have been a counter investigation against people involved in it.

"There was nothing against her. There was conspiracy over Malegaon and Samjhauta Express blasts and anti-national forces were fighting. People associated with politics worked against the country's interest. I look with respect at the NIA's decision in favour of Pragya Thakur," party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi told the media.

Asked about dilution of charges against other accused, including Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, she said she would not give any clean chit to him or speak for or against him as she does no details of the case against him.

Lekhi said she knew Thakur and is limiting her argument to the Hindutva activist.

She brushed aside Congress leader Digvijay Singh's criticism of the government over the NIA decision, saying he had earlier alleged RSS involvement in the Mumbai attack.

RSS functionary Indresh Kumar alleged that the UPA government had a conspiracy to target Hindutva groups over the blasts.

"The UPA government had linked saffron and Hindutva with terrorism. There cannot be a bigger crime, sin and injustice. That is why the UPA government hatched a political conspiracy. First it had put Muslims behind bars," he told reporters.