Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111661330900.htm

National

Purohit’s police custody extended

Rahi Gaikwad

He played a key role in the commission of the offence: ATS

— Photo: PTI/ Shashank Parade

SERIOUS CHARGES: Lt. Col. Shrikant Purohit, arrested for his alleged role in the Malegaon blast, arrives at the KEM hospital in Mumbai on Saturday for a medical check-up.

Nashik: A court here on Friday extended the police custody of Lieutenant-Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, a suspect in the Malegaon blast of September 29, by three days till November 18. Purohit was produced in the court as his custody ended on Friday.

Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) special prosecutor Ajay Misar said that Purohit had played a “key role in the commission of the offence."

“He attended secret meetings, played an active role in these meetings and was in constant touch with suspects Pragnya Singh Thakur and Dayanand Pandey. Another suspect, Ajay Rahirkar, transferred a huge amount of Rs.3,98,500 to Purohit’s account in December 2007. Rahirkar transferred the money to accounts of other suspects as well on Purohit’s direction. Purohit played a key role in hawala transactions of Rs.10 lakh. He worked for Abhinav Bharat (not the Mumbai-based public charitable trust), was well conversant with arms and RDX, and had directed suspects to delete his numbers from mobile phones,” argued Mr. Misar.

It was alleged that Rahirkar gave Rs.2,50,000 to a builder in Nashik, again at the instance of Purohit. “What the money was used for has to be probed.” Mr. Misar did not reveal the builder’s identity.

Purohit also attended a secret meeting in Raigad in July 2006, and another in Jabalpur in June 2008. He was part of a training camp in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh, from October 16 to 21, 2006.

Pressing for Purohit’s police custody, Mr. Misar said that although the suspect was in custody for 11 days, the ATS could investigate him effectively only for four and a half days. The investigation is “at a crucial stage,” he told the court.

“No ill-treatment”

Judge H K Ganatra rejected the application filed by Purohit’s relative, charging the ATS with ill-treatment and custodial torture. Purohit, who appeared emotionally distraught, told the court, at the start of the hearing, that he had no complaints against the police and that he was not being beaten.

After the arguments, the judge asked everyone to leave the court. Purohit’s face was reportedly uncovered. “It showed no injury marks,” Mr. Misar claimed.

Purohit’s lawyer Avinash Bhide had asked for a medical examination of Purohit. This plea was also rejected as Mr. Misar submitted documents of six medical examinations. The injuries mentioned are from an alleged “fall” in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001, Mr. Misar told the court.

The court, however, allowed Purohit to meet his relatives.

ATS claims refuted

Mr. Bhide told the court that the ATS’ claims were not reflected in Purohit’s remand report. He took strong exception to media reportage of the case, especially of Purohit’s narco test results. “Why are the claims stated in the court not mentioned in the remand report? It is surprising that channels and newspapers are revealing narco test results, but there is no mention of it in the remand. Where does the media get the information from,” he asked.

He also pointed out that the accused were being produced late in the court, giving very little time to the defence to study the prosecution reports.

Mr. Bhide asked what was the need to take Purohit to Bangalore for the narco test instead of doing it in Mumbai like it was done for other accused.

Purohit’s remand hearing saw saffron ire pour on to the streets outside the court once again. In the earlier instance, the Shiv Sena had protested during sadhvi Pragnya’s hearing. On Friday, members of the Hindu Rashtra Sena protested outside the court. They denounced Purohit’s arrest as an “effort to malign and enfeeble Hindus and shift the focus from alleged Indian Mujahideen and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) members.” He should be brought to the couxrt respectfully, they demanded.

The police chased away the crowd. Around 40 people were reportedly arrested.

Mr. Misar, ATS chief Hemant Karkare and investigation officer Kulkarni have received a thereat call. “It is a local [Nashik] number and we will file a complaint,” said Mr. Misar. Three suspects of the Malegaon blast — Ramji, Bhagwan and Sandeep Dange — are still absconding.