A retired police inspector who served on the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) team probing the Malegaon blast case has alleged that he was directed to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Former inspector Mehiboob Mujawar claimed the move was intended to create a narrative of “saffron terror”.
These claims emerge just as a special court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Among those acquitted are prominent figures such as former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and former army officer Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, along with five others.
Pressurised to arrest Bhagwat
Mujawar told PTI that he got orders from Investigating Officer Param Bir Singh and even higher authorities above him to arrest Mohan Bhagwat. He said, “I got funds from the service secret fund, and was assigned 10 Maharashtra police personnel along with an officially issued revolver by ATS with warrants.”
He alleged that senior officials lied and told him that they had met Mohan Bhagwat before and Mujawar should go arrest him. The retired ATS officer also mentioned that the investigation was not going right and a narrative of “Bhagwa attankwad” (Saffron terrorism) was allegedly being imposed upon the ongoing inquiry.
Refusing the orders
While referring to Mohan Bhagwat as a tall figure, Mujawar stated that he was sent to arrest Bhagwat despite him being a junior; he was also told that Mohan Bhagwat is a terrorist making it a reason for his arrest.
“I cannot comment on what investigation the ATS carried out at the time or why,” he said. “But I was given confidential instructions concerning individuals like Ram Kalsangra, Sandip Dange, Dilip Patidar and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat,” added Mujawar. He further said that those directives could not realistically be followed.
He further alleged, “It was beyond my capacity to arrest a towering figure like Mohan Bhagwat. Because I refused to carry out those orders, a false case was filed against me, which ultimately ruined my 40-year career.”