CBI receives Malegaon re-investigation nod
January 14th, 2011 - 12:41 am ICT by IANSMumbai, Jan 13 (IANS) In a significant development, a special court here Thursday granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to re-investigate the Sep 8, 2006 Malegaon serial blasts.The permission, by Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) special court Judge Y.D. Shinde, comes in the wake of the reported confession of Hindutva activist Swami Aseemanand of his role in the blasts.
Aseemanand, a member of the right-wing Hindu group Abhinav Bharat, is also accused of the Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express blasts of 2007.
At least 35 persons were killed and over a 100 injured when three blasts ripped through the minority-dominated areas of Malegaon, including the Bada Kabrastan area on Shab-E-Baraat day.
The state Anti-Terrorist Squad nabbed nine Muslim youth in connection with the case. The CBI took over the case following a request by the Maharashtra government.
A CBI official said Thursday that the special court had directed the agency to “further investigate” the case under Section 173(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
To a query whether the CBI would also interrogate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, former Military Intelligence official Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit and others named in the case, the official said the agency “would do whatever is required in the process of collecting evidence during the fresh investigations.”
Two days ago, several top Muslim leaders and intellectuals had called on Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil, demanding the release of the arrested Muslim youth.
The state government responded by writing to the centre urging the CBI to look afresh into the case as fresh leads were emerging post Swami Aseemanand’s arrest.
- Malegaon blasts accused seek bail - Jan 17, 2011
- Malegaon blasts: CBI submits Aseemanand's statement to court - Feb 17, 2011
- Court gives bail to nine in 2006 Malegaon blasts case - Nov 05, 2011
- CBI to reinvestigate Malegaon blast case - Jan 13, 2011
- Seven Malegaon blasts accused post bonds, out on bail - Nov 16, 2011
- 2006 Malegaon blasts case: MCOCA court adjourns hearing till Feb. 7 - Jan 28, 2011
- CBI opposes bail plea of nine accused in 2006 Malegaon blasts - Jan 28, 2011
- Judicial custody of Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand extended till May 2 - Apr 30, 2011
- NIA not to oppose bail of Malegaon blast accused: Chidambaram - Oct 31, 2011
- Release Muslim youths held for Malegaon blast, say scholars - Jan 10, 2011
- Samjhauta blast accused Aseemanand claims innocence - Apr 22, 2011
- RSS' Aseemanand charged for Mecca Masjid blast (Lead) - May 16, 2011
- Court allows NIA to compare Samjhauta, Malegaon blasts evidence - Sep 28, 2011
- Samjhauta blast: Aseemanand sent to judicial custody till Jan. 27 - Jan 13, 2011
- Samjhauta blast: Swami Aseemanand produced before Panchkula court - Jan 13, 2011
Tags: abhinav, bharat, cbi, central bureau of investigation, crime act, hindu group, home minister, intelligence official, maharashtra government, mecca masjid, military intelligence, muslim leaders, muslim youth, prasad, purohit, samjhauta express, shab e baraat, shinde, thakur, three blasts