Ex‑ATS Officer Alleges Orders to Arrest RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in Malegaon Blast Probe

New Delhi Chronicle Desk

A retired Maharashtra Anti‑Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer has made startling claims about the 2008 Malegaon bombing investigation, suggesting it was steered to target the leadership of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The officer, Mehboob Mujawar, alleges that he received explicit instructions to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, as part of a broader effort to construct a narrative of “Bhagwa terror.”

Allegations and Background

Mujawar states that senior ATS officials, including then-investigating officer Param Bir Singh, directed him to detain Bhagwat alongside other individuals like Ram Kalsangra and Sandip Dange. The aim, he claims, was to frame Bhagwat as a central figure in the blast probe—a move intended to paint the case as “saffron terror.”

He further asserts that refusing to follow these orders jeopardised his career: “Because I refused to carry out those orders, a false case was filed against me, which ultimately ruined my 40‑year career.”

Court Verdict and Fallout

These allegations follow closely on the heels of a special NIA court’s decision to acquit all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast, a case that left six people dead and over a hundred injured. Among those cleared were former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, who had spent years in custody. The court cited a lack of “reliable and cogent evidence” as grounds for the acquittals.

Following the verdict, Mujawar confirmed that the court decision had exposed flaws in the original ATS investigation and vindicated his stance. He described the initial inquiry as “fabricated,” carried out by officers who imposed a false narrative.

Political Reactions and Broader Implications

In the political arena, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the then-ruling Congress in Maharashtra of orchestrating a “political witch hunt” aimed at symbolically framing Bhagwat and the broader ideologies of the RSS through the Malegaon case.

Meanwhile, former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis referenced Mujawar’s allegations, stating that the “Hindu terror” narrative had been artificially created by political actors when the focus on Islamic terrorism risked alienating certain voter bases.

Looking Ahead

Calibrating the fallout from these revelations will involve scrutiny from legal, political, and intelligence communities alike. Investigations into institutional conduct and internal pressures during anti-terror probes may gain momentum. Critics warn that if the charges hold up, this case could become a landmark example of alleged misuse of investigative agencies for ideological ends.

Key Developments at a Glance

Topic Details
Who Retired ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar
Allegation Ordered to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to push saffron terror narrative
Probe Leads Directed by Param Bir Singh and senior officials
Court Verdict All seven accused acquitted by NIA court—evidence deemed unreliable
Political Fallout BJP and allied leaders accuse Congress of politicising the investigation