Bike used in Malegaon was Pragya's, says father

MUMBAI: The motorcycle, which was used in the Malegaon blast, had belonged to Sadhvi Pragya Thakur before she sold it four years ago, claimed her father, Chandrapal Singh Thakur. The sadhvi was arrested last week by the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) in connection with the explosion that took place last month.
The sadhvi���s close associate, Manoj Sharma, had reportedly sold the bike and then handed over Rs 23,000 to her father.This was revealed by Chandrapal Singh himself while speaking to TOI over telephone.
According to him, Sharma, who worked with Pragya, rode the bike while she travelled as a pillion rider. Sharma, who was killed a few months ago, was an RSS member. The organisation, however, expelled him after his role in a murder case came to light, Chandrapal Singh told TOI.
When director-general of police A N Roy was asked about Sharma, he said, Our investigations are on the right track but I dont want to comment on it.
Chandrapal Singh said, Four years ago, Sharma gave me Rs 23,000, saying he had sold Pragyas bike following her instructions. Chandrapal was taken aback by the act but did not ask any question. After that, Pragya bought a Hero-Honda bike for herself, but she sold it off as well after she became a sadhvi, he added.
According to the father, the ATS team approached the family on October 10 and started questioning Pragya about her old motorcycle. It was then that Chandrapal Singh learnt that her bike had been used in the blast.
Chandrapal Singh, an ayurvedic doctor from Bhid district of Madhya Pradesh, shifted to Surat in 2003. Besides Pragya, he has three daughters who are married and a son who is trying his luck in business.
Chandrapal Singh stated that he was ready to help the investigating agencies and added that so far, no one from the ATS had contacted him for an inquiry.
vijay.singh6@timesgroup.com