Sadhvi Pragya all set to bathe in river Shipra

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who was given a clean chit by the NIA in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts case, has decided to call off her fast after she got clearance to bathe in the Shipra river.

Amid high security measures, Sadhvi Pragya left on Wednesday for Ujjain to participate in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The Dewas District Court on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to her request to bathe in the river.

The Sadhvi, who was lodged in Bhopal Central Jail, had threatened to fast unto death if she was not allowed to bathe in the river. She was admitted to a local ayurvedic hospital after her health deteriorated.

Superintendent of Police Rajesh Bhadoria told reporters: "We have offered adequate security to Sadhvi Pragya and medical experts are also accompanying her. All security and medical arrangements are in compliance with the Dewas court decision."

Bhagvan Jha, her close aide, said: "Sadhvi Pragya has decided to call off the hunger strike as a Dewas court on Tuesday allowed her to take a dip in the Shipra. She is under heavy security and is travelling to Ujjain in an ambulance to attend the Kumbh Mela."

He added: "Her health is stable, she has consumed only water and medicines. She has refrained from eating anything solid."

According to hospital staff, Sadhvi Pragya's two-day hunger strike had worsened her health and she was not in a fit condition to travel. Her blood pressure was low and she had been advised medication for the condition, a doctor said.

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which began on April 22, will end on May 21. Sadhvi Pragya had protested against the authorities for not allowing her to bathe in the Shipra.

Sadhvi Pragya is accused of involvement in the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary Sunil Joshi and is facing trial in the case. She is currently imprisoned at Central Jail in Bhopal and is undergoing treatment in Pandit Khushilal Ayurveda Hospital there.

--IANS

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