Malegaon probe: Purohit emerging as a key link?

[Nafees]

Source: NDTV.com: Malegaon probe: Purohit emerging as a key link?

Nehal Kidwai, Rashmi Rajput
Friday, November 14, 2008, (New Delhi)

During his narco-analysis test in Bangalore last week Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, the first serving Indian Army officer to be held in a terror-related case, confessed to his role in the Malegaon blast.

Sources told NDTV that Purohit confessed that he wanted to take revenge against a particular community. These tests, though not admissible in court, could throw up vital clues for investigators.

Purohit revealed that sadhvi Pragya Thakur and Swami Dayanand Pandey, who are now under arrest, were also involved in planning the attack. Purohit met the sadhvi through Pandey.

He also said that Pandey was also involved in the Ajmer and Nanded blasts where more than 500 people were trained to carry out the attacks.

While narco-analysis tests are not admissible as evidence in a court of law, some of what Purohit said about the role of Dayanand Pandey has been corroborated by the ATS in court.

Pandey is now emerging as a key link as the ATS told the court that Pandey fixed the meeting between Purohit and Ramji Kalsangra. The ATS also said that Pandey told Purohit to arrange for explosives and received money from Abhinav Bharat treasurer.

The revelations could help piece together the Malegaon puzzle. However, it will have to be backed by hard evidence in court.

 

[dr.umer]

Indian Colonel admits bombing Samjhota​

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel PS Purohit procured the explosives used in the 2007 Samjhota Express train bombing and 2008 Malegaon blast, Indian police told a court in Nashik city on Saturday.

Maharashtra police said the colonel had obtained 60 kilogrammes of the explosive from Jammu and Kashmir in 2006 according to a witness in the Malegaon blast case. The court remanded the colonel in police custody until November 18.

Meanwhile, Hindu ascetic Sadhvi Pragya Singh and Lt Col Purohit tested negative in narco tests on direct involvement in the Samjhota Express bombing, but gave important clues about their clandestine network. The Mumbai Police ATS is now tracing two followers of Sadhvi and an Indore-based Hindu Jagran Manch that they believe are the ‘missing link’ in the Samjhota Express bombing, said a senior security official who is part of the investigations.

The suitcases that were used to blow up three carriages of Samjhota Express were traced to Indore, which has emerged as a hub of clandestine activities of Hindu militant groups.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

ATS: Mutalik Propagated Hatred​

ATS chargesheeted 12 accused, two of them are still wanted



MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Thursday filed a supplementary charge sheet against Pravin Mutalik before the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) court in the September 29, 2008 Malegaon blast case, ATS chief Rakesh Maria told The Hindu.

“With this, the ATS has chargesheeted 12 accused. Two of them are still wanted.”

The charge sheet said Pravin Mutalik alias Praveen Venkatesh Takkalki alias Pradeep V. Naik was one of the accused who actually planted explosive devices on an LML Freedom motorcycle, which exploded killing six persons and injuring more than 100 others.

Mutalik, who was arrested from Gokak in Karnataka on February 1, 2011, has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the MCOCA, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act.

Mutalik has been accused of “utilising the organisation, namely Abhinav Bharat, as a front for propagating hatred against people who are against their ideology; preparing for a government in exile with the ideology of Hindu Rashtra alone, contrary to the secular policy of the government enshrined in the Constitution of India; preparing for overawing the government; to threaten the unity, integrity and security of India; to strike terror in the people by causing explosions; and conspiring to do away with some members of RSS who are against their ideology.”

The charge sheet said Mutalik got training in making bombs from Rakesh Dhawade (who has also been arrested) at various places including at the Bhosala Military School, Nashik, on the instructions of Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit.

Mutalik stayed at the house of Sudhakar Chaturvedi in Deolali, Nashik, where the explosives were assembled.

While giving reasons for slapping the MCOCA on the 12 accused, the ATS said: “Members of this organised crime syndicate have been committing bomb blasts from 2003... The accused have procured, acquired and transported a huge amount of money, arms and ammunition for continuing their unlawful activities...”

Mutalik attended a conspiracy meeting arranged by Lt. Col. Purohit in Nashik. He tried to induct youth in the Abhinav Bharat for ammunition training.

Lt. Col. Purohit wanted to make use of Mutalik under the banner of the Abhinav Bharat by organising training camps for like-minded youth to adopt his ideology and also to commit terrorist activities in retaliation for bomb explosions committed by Muslims across the country, the charge sheet stated.

The Hindu : National : ATS: Mutalik propagated hatred

 

[desioptimist]

Good, all terrorists should be punished. Although late, good to see the investigation is on track.