ATS team questions Muthalik over Malegaon blasts

Mangalore, Jan 31: A four-member Maharashtra ATS team interrogated, Sri Rama Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik in connection with the Malegaon blasts and over his suspected links with the prime accused of the case including Lt Col Srikant Purohit. The team arrived Mangalore on Friday, Jan 30.

Muthalik had spoken in support of Malegaon blast ans Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur when he was custody raising doubts of his links with Malegaon blasts. The Judicial Magistrate (First Class-II) K S Vijay, who rejected the bail application of Muthalik, remanded him to 24-hour police custody.

The Bunder police took Muthalik to their custody after which the ATS team interrogated him, police sources said here. A police team from Madikeri of Kodagu district have also arrived here with a 'body warrant' seeking custody of Muthalik in connection with a case booked against him in 2003.

Muthalik, in Dec 2003 had made a provocative speech at Gonikoppal, after which a case was registered by the Police. As Muthalik was in the Mangalore Police custody, the Madikeri Police could not present the warrant before the court on Saturday, Jan 31.

Muthalik has denied any links with Malegaon blasts.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)