The prosecution concluded arguments in the 2008 Thane auditorium blasts case on Wednesday. Three crude blasts were reported at three different places auditoriums in Thane and Vashi and a movie theatre in Panvel screening the movie Jodhaa Akbar and play Aamhi Pachpute in 2008. The Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS),investigating the blasts,concluded probe claiming that the modus operandi was the same in all three blasts and the accused belonged to Hindu right wing group Sanatan Sanstha and the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS). Six people- Ramesh Gadkari,Mangesh Nikam,Vikram Bhave,Santosh Angre,Haribhau Divekar and Hemant Chalke- have been arrested and booked for criminal conspiracy,attempt to murder and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,Explosives Act,Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act. All witnesses in the case have been examined. The prosecution relied upon 105 witnesses. Accused statement would be recorded on April 29, said special public prosecutor Rohini Salian. All witnesses have apparently supported the prosecutions case. The depositions were in the line of our investigations, Salian said. Soon after the draft charges were framed in January 2009,all the accused had pleaded not guilty.All six were booked for their alleged involvement in planting of improvised explosive devices.
