A special NIA court in Maharashtra's Malegaon blast case has issued a landmark judgment, acquitting seven individuals and clearly indicating that former ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar's claim to arrest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Mohan Bhagwat lacked foundation. Mujawar had stated he refused to follow such orders.
Judge A.K. Lahoti, through a comprehensive verdict spanning over 1000 pages, elaborated on the lack of substantial evidence in this claim. This argument was presented by the defense counsel representing accused Sudhakar Dwivedi. They referenced Mehboob Mujawar's previous assertions, emphasizing a perceived political pressure to target Bhagwat as part of a 'saffron terrorism' narrative.
Mujawar accused senior ATS officers of instructing him to arrest Mohan Bhagwat. Reiterating on Thursday, he suggested the aim was to manifest the concept of saffron terrorism. However, he also mentioned refusing to comply with such orders, citing no evidence supporting Bhagwat's involvement was found during the investigation.
The court dismissed these statements as meaningless. In his ruling, Judge Lahoti rejected the defense's argument based on then-investigation officer ACP Mohan Kulkarni's testimony. Kulkarni had clarified that no orders were issued to arrest any RSS members and that Mujawar was only tasked with locating absconding suspects Ramji Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange.
This court decision not only outlines the legal trajectory of this case but also resolves the long-standing controversy surrounding the alleged targeting of the RSS leader. With the acquittal of the seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, it is now evident that the 'saffron terrorism' narrative could not withstand legal scrutiny.
