Latest news with #MehboobMujawar
News18
02-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
Malegaon Blast Case: Here's What Retired ATS Officer Mehboob Mujawar Claimed
Last Updated: Mujawar, who was one of the investigating officers in the case, claimed that senior ATS officials had explicitly instructed him to detain and arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat In the detailed order of the special NIA court of Mumbai in the 2008 Malegaon blast case seen by CNN-News18, the testimony of former ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar has brought to light serious allegations of coercion and internal pressure within the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) during the initial stages of the investigation. According to the arguments presented by the counsel for accused number 10, ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar, who was one of the investigating officers in the case, claimed that senior ATS officials had explicitly instructed him to detain and arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Mujawar, however, said he refused to comply with this 'illegal order", as he found no substantial role or involvement of Mohan Bhagwat in the alleged crime. As a consequence of his defiance, Mujawar alleged that he was subsequently implicated in a false case by the ATS, which was filed before a magistrate in Solapur. In support of these arguments, the defence counsel submitted certified copies of the said application and Mujawar's statement recorded under Section 313 of the CrPC in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Solapur. The court's order further delves into corroborating testimonies. During his cross-examination, prosecution witness PW-320, ACP Mohan Kulkarni, rejected the suggestion that Mehboob Mujawar had been dispatched to apprehend a senior functionary of the RSS. However, Kulkarni did admit that Mujawar was indeed sent to trace absconding accused AA-1 (Ramji Kalsangra) and AA-2 (Sandeep Dange). Kulkarni also denied a suggestion that Mujawar had publicly stated that the ATS had shot dead two persons, which might have been a reason for his exclusion from the charge sheet's witness list. Further adding to the picture, the cross-examination of prosecution witness PW-321, Dy. SP Anil Dubey, confirmed his awareness that Mehboob Mujawar was indeed a member of the ATS team and that his statement had been recorded by Wankhede. Considering the entirety of this evidence, the court's order explicitly noted that Mujawar was a member of the ATS team and had investigated the present case under the direction of his senior officers. It was also revealed that he had been questioned in connection with the deaths of Ramchandra Kalsangra (AA-1) and Sandeep Dange (AA-2) concerning his statements made before the media and news agencies. Significantly, the court pointed out that despite his involvement and the critical nature of his allegations, Mujawar's name was neither included in the witness list nor was he produced as a witness by either the prosecution or the defence during the trial. view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 05:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
02-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
No Merit In Malegaon Case Officer's Claim On RSS Chief's Arrest Order: Court
The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court that recently pronounced its verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case found no merit in a former Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) officer's explosive claim that the probe team was ordered to arrest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. Besides, special judge A K Lakhoti also rejected the ex-ATS officer, Mehboob Mujawar's claim that two members of the squad were killed in custody, citing absence of admissible evidence and sworn testimony. "The statement recorded u/s 313 of Cr.P.C. cannot be construed as evidence," the judge said, referring to documents filed by Mr Mujawar before the magistrate court in Solapur. The court noted that while these documents were placed on record, Mr Mujawar was not examined as a witness before the trial court, and hence, his claims could not be legally tested. "The defense had submitted that ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar refused to act on alleged directions from senior officers to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing no role found in the case. Whereas, their own officer (Mehboob Mujawar) had denied to obey such illegal order as he did not find any role of Mr. Mohan Bhagwat in the alleged offence," it said. Six people were killed when a bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded in a busy market in Malegaon, around 300 km from Mumbai, on September 29, 2008. The blast was initially probed by the state ATS before the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country's top anti-terror body. All seven accused, including former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pragya Singh Thakur, were acquitted by the court on Thursday on the grounds that there was "no reliable and cogent" evidence against them. On Friday, Mr Mujawar, who was part of the ATS team that investigated the blast, claimed they were ordered to arrest Mr Bhagwat. He also claimed there was an attempt to take the probe in the "wrong direction" and that false cases were registered against him for objecting to the plan. In its over 100-page judgment, the court referred to Mr Mujawar's allegation that he was later implicated in a false case before a local court in Solapur as a consequence of his refusal. The court noted that the documents submitted were part of a separate legal matter and not backed by evidence before the present court. The court referred to the cross-examination of then Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mohan Kulkarni, who "denied the suggestion that Mehboob Mujawar was sent by them to bring one senior office bearer of RSS". Mr Kulkarni admitted Mr Mujawar was sent to trace absconding accused Ramji Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange, but denied any directive involving the RSS leadership or public claims of custodial killings. The judgment also recorded that then Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Dubey acknowledged that Mr Mujawar was part of the ATS team and was questioned by the NIA over his public statement about the alleged death of Kalsangra and Dange. The court noted that "Mujawar's name is not listed in the witness list nor is he examined as a witness before this court by prosecution side or defense side." "Some documents are not sufficient. It must be proved through the cogent and reliable testimony of concerned witness," the court said. It concluded that Mr Mujawar's claims could not be relied upon in the absence of sworn testimony and cross-examination and therefore, "I did not find any force in the aforesaid contention."
India Today
02-08-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Court acquits accused in Malegaon blast case, rejects political pressure claim
A special court in Mumbai, while acquitting seven accused in the Malegaon 2008 blast case, acknowledged that former ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar had made a statement claiming that senior ATS officials had directed him to arrest RSS Chief Mohan the court did not consider this statement in its Ranjit Sangle, representing accused Sudhakar Dhardwivedi, submitted Mujawar's statement as evidence before the NIA court. Mujawar was one of the investigating officers in the Malegaon Mujawar alleged that senior ATS officers instructed him to take Mohan Bhagwat into custody, but he refused to follow what he called an "illegal order," as he found no evidence linking Bhagwat to the blast. Mujawar also claimed that he was falsely implicated in a case filed by the ATS before the Magistrate court in one point, Mujawar publicly stated that two who wanted to be accused in the case, Ramchandra Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange, were dead. An enquiry was initiated regarding this statement, and as a result, Mujawar was not listed as a prosecution witness before the presented certified copies of Mujawar's statement from the Solapur Magistrate court, highlighting alleged torture by the ATS and political pressure aimed at implicating RSS members to justify a ban on the argued, 'Both the accused and witnesses spoke about torture. Due to extreme torture by ATS, Kalsangra and Dange died. This torture was politically motivated to ensure RSS members were named.'The court reviewed statements from another ATS officer and confirmed Mujawar's role as part of the ATS team investigating the Malegaon blast under his superior's the special NIA court, while acquitting the accused, noted that Mujawar's statement was made before a Magistrate court and not before Special Judge AK Lahoti stated, 'The statement recorded under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code (by Mujawar) cannot be treated as evidence because it was not recorded before this court. Simply submitting documents is not sufficient.'The judge added, 'Evidence must come from cogent and reliable testimony of the concerned witness. Moreover, these documents reflect his defense before a different court, not this one.'Consequently, the court chose not to consider Mujawar's statement in its verdict.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Mumbai
India Today
01-08-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Malegaon 'conspiracy' files unravelled
The big focus of this episode of India First is on a retired Maharashtra ATS officer's allegations that he was directed to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Retired Maharashtra ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar claimed that he was asked to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in connection with the case. He alleged that the directive came from Investigating Officer Param Bir Singh, aimed to create the narrative of 'saffron terror' in India. The discussion highlights the acquittal of seven accused in the 2008 blast case and examines the misuse of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in these investigations. It also explores claims of falsified records and shifts in investigative focus, including the Samjhauta Express blast probe, to create a 'Hindu terror' narrative. The video scrutinises the accountability of investigative agencies and the political debate surrounding the 'Hindu terror' bogey, with BJP accusing Congress of conspiracy and Congress countering with diversionary tactic claims.
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Claim of order to arrest Bhagwat: Court says can't take as evidence
A DAY after the Special Court acquitted seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, allegations by a former Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer that he was asked to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat found mention in the detailed judgment, a copy of which was made available on Friday. The court, however, said that since he was not examined as a witness in the case, and his statement was made before a Solapur court, it cannot be construed as evidence. The order, which has a separate section titled 'Directions to arrest RSS chief', states that the lawyer of one of the accused, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi, had, during the trial, brought a statement made by the former ATS officer, Mehboob Mujawar, in a Solapur court which said: 'The senior ATS officers had given directions to him (Mujawar) to arrest Mr Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) by taking him in custody.' According to the statement, Mujawar denied Bhagwat's role and declined to arrest him. A false case was then allegedly filed by the ATS against Mujawar, who was later acquitted. The court observed that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already inquired with the former ATS officer on his allegations. On Thursday, Mujawar repeated these claims before the media. He named an IPS officer, who, he claimed, had asked him to arrest Bhagwat. He alleged that since he did not arrest Bhagwat, a false case under the Arms Act was registered against him (Mujawar) at the officer's behest and he was suspended. Mujawar claimed that a Solapur court later acquitted him in the case. The officer against whom the allegation was made did not respond. Posting a video clip of Mujawar's statement, the BJP said on X: 'This is not just a scandal, it is an abuse of power, a conspiracy against the nation, and a sinister plot to malign nationalists. Who were the higher authorities? Who has the political cover for this witch-hunt? Who tried to falsely frame the RSS chief?' In its order, the court said: 'The PW-320 (ACP Mohan Kulkarni, ATS chief investigating officer) had denied the suggestion given in his cross examination that Mehboob Mujawar was sent by them to bring one senior office-bearer of RSS. But admitted that he was sent to find out / trace out AA-1 (absconding accused Ramji Kalsangra) and AA-2 (absconding accused Sandeep Dange). He also denied the suggestion that Mehboob Mujawar publicly declared that the ATS shot dead two persons and hence, his name was not included in the list of witness filed with chargesheet.' The order also refers to the deposition of Anil Dubey, NIA's investigating officer, who said that Mujawar was called to the agency's office and they inquired with him about his statements in the media about the deaths of Kalsangra and Dange. In 2016, Mujawar had claimed that he was 'witness to their killings and the disposal of their bodies as victims of 26/11 terror attacks'. He claimed that the duo had been shot dead in custody by the ATS, and he was later asked to lead attempts to look for them. The two wanted accused have not been traced till date. The court said Mujawar was not listed as a witness, nor was he examined as a witness by either the prosecution or the defence. On the documents containing Mujawar's allegations mentioned in the Solapur court, the court said: 'The statement recorded u/s 313 of CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code, statement of accused) cannot be construed as evidence on the counts that the statement is not recorded before this court and in support of those documents, he is not examined as a witness before this court. So, merely placing some documents is not sufficient. It must be proved through the cogent and reliable testimony of the concerned witness.' 'Moreover, those documents show that it was his defence before the particular court and not before this court. Therefore, I did not find any force in the aforesaid contention raised by the Ld (learned) Advocate for the A-10 (Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi),' concludes the section on Mujawar's allegations.
