‘No proof of saffron terror plot’: NIA court clears Mohan Bhagwat in Malegaon case allegations

Special Judge AK Lahoti dismissed claims made by Mujawar, who had alleged that he was ordered to apprehend Bhagwat to project a narrative of “saffron terror.”

A special NIA court in Mumbai has rejected claims that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) was instructed to arrest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

In a detailed judgment spanning over 1,000 pages, Special Judge AK Lahoti dismissed claims made by Mehboob Mujawar, a former ATS officer, who had alleged that he was ordered to apprehend Bhagwat to project a narrative of “saffron terror.”

The claim had been cited by the lawyer of one of the accused, Sudhakar Dwivedi, during arguments.

The court, however, found no merit in the claim.

It relied on the testimony of ACP Mohan Kulkarni, the then lead investigator, who stated that Mujawar was never directed to arrest any RSS member and had only been assigned to track down two absconding accused -- Ramji Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange.

Mujawar had reiterated his allegation as recently as Thursday, claiming he refused to obey what he termed an "illegal order" due to a lack of evidence against Bhagwat.

The court said these contentions did not hold up under scrutiny.

The judgment was part of the court’s order acquitting all seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, citing a lack of evidence.