Malegaon blasts: Maharashtra ATS files chargesheet

Mumbai, Jan 20: A chargesheet was filed by the Maharashtra Police on Tuesday, Jan 20 in the Malegaon blast case before a special court as the judicial custody of the 11 accused comes to an end. The charge sheet run over 400 pages. Sadhvi Pragya Thakur is the main accused in the case.

Hemant Karkare, the Mumbai Joint Commissioner who was in charge of the case was killed by the terrorist who attacked Mumbai on Nov 26. Lt. Col Prasad Purohit, a serving Indian Army officer is also arrested in connection with Malegaon case. The police chargesheet was be based on confessions of the accused.

The key suspects in the Malegaon blast case are Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col. Prasad Purohit, Shivnarayan Kalsangra Singh, Shamlal Sahu, Sameer Kulkarni, Retd Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Rakesh Dhawade, Jagdish Mahatre and Swami Dayanand Pandey.

Rajesh Dhawde, one of the accused have already admitted his role in the blast. He said he was reponsible for the arms and explosive training in Sinhagad.

Police have evidences like an eyewitness account of a convesation between Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and key accused Ramji Kalsangra. Statements from Ajay Rahirkar, the treasurer of Abhinav Bharat. Ajay said that Rs 10 lakh was transferred from the group to fund the blast. An auto garage owner said that the bike used in Malegaon blast was brought to his workshop by Ramji.

Sources said that even though the police have enough evidence, there are some weak points in the case. Police have arrested majority of the accused on charge of conspiracy. But they are yet to zero in those directly involved in the plot, like making bomb and executing the blast. Also Col Purohit has not confessed his role yet.

However Police sources said that though the case suffered a set back due to death of Karkare, the investigation is well on track. They also added that they will seal the case once Kalsagre and Sandeep Dangle are caught. The duo are the alleged planters of the bomb in Malegaon.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)