 Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 1: In a sensational disclosure that could reopen debate on the Malegaon blast investigation, former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer Mehboob Mujawar has alleged that he was ordered to arrest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat during the probe, claiming the entire investigation was politically motivated.
Mujawar, who served for four decades in the police force, described the directive as a “horrific and confidential order” allegedly issued by senior officer Param Bir Singh and other “higher authorities.” He claimed he was asked to frame Bhagwat under the then-prevailing “Hindutva terror” narrative, but refused to comply.
“I was ordered to arrest Mohan Bhagwat. The Malegaon blast probe was politically driven. I refused to frame him — it was a horrific, confidential order,” Mujawar said, while speaking to the media.
The former officer revealed that as part of the operation, he was provided with funds from the Service Secret Fund, assigned ten Maharashtra Police personnel, and officially issued a revolver by the ATS.
However, after his refusal to act on the alleged po Mujawar, who served for four decades in the police force, described the directive as a “horrific and confidential order.
The order was allegedly issued by senior officer Param Bir Singh and other “higher authorities.”
Mujawar claimed that he was asked to frame Bhagwat under the then-prevailing “Hindutva terror” narrative, but he refused to comply.
However, after his refusal to act on the alleged political instructions, Mujawar said his career was systematically targeted.
Mujawar alleged that the directives to frame nationalist leaders were part of a larger conspiracy to push a politically motivated narrative, describing it as “an abuse of power and a sinister attempt to malign patriots.”
“This is not just a scandal — this is a conspiracy against the nation. The country deserves to know who ordered this and who gave political cover to such a witch-hunt,” he said, demanding accountability from those responsible.
While there has been no official response yet from the Maharashtra government, ATS, or the RSS, the allegations are likely to trigger a political storm, with observers calling for an impartial investigation into the claims.
The Malegaon blast case, in which several right-wing activists were arrested in the mid-2000s, has long been a matter of political contention. Mujawar’s disclosure now adds a fresh twist, potentially reigniting debate on whether political considerations influenced the probe under the then UPA government. |
