Lt Col is key man in Malegaon blast, says ATS

ATS have claimed that Purohit allegedly forged documents during his stint in J-K for obtaining arms licences for others.

While the Army tries to come to terms with the arrest of its intelligence officer Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit in the Malegaon blasts, the Maharashtra police have claimed that the officer was not an aide but the kingpin who allegedly forged documents during his stint in Jammu 038; Kashmir for obtaining arms licences for others.

According to the Mumbai ATS, which has passed on the relevant information to Army authorities, Purohit during his stay in J038;K some time in 2004-05 obtained these licences with which weapons were procured and handed over to Abhinav Bharat members. As a founder of the organization, sources said, he is alleged to have provided weapons, ammunition and explosives that were used for training.

It may be noted that the ATS has claimed that one of the accused was asked by Purohit to keep some weapons which he had arranged. The police have apparently traced how these weapons were purchased with the help of forged documents.

In fact, investigation details shared with intelligence agencies show that he even held a training camp a couple of months ago in Panchmarhi where he was posted only in July-August. According to Maharasthtra police, 54 members attended the Panchmarhi training camps where they were allegedly trained in handling arms and explosives.

He is said to have held similar camps near Pune, and took leave to attend meetings in Bhonsala Military School which emerged as the hub for Abhinav Bharat activities. Authorities have been told that investigators suspect that one more serving Army officer may be involved, though there is no official intimation yet.

Not just that, ATS officials have also alleged that Purohit was in touch with a Bangladeshi Hindu militant outfit and had held a meeting in this connection at Kolkata. While this angle is still under probe, police have told the Army that the network was spreading quickly even though it had started only a few years back.

Hindu Jagran Manch man detained in Gujarat

SURAT: The Mumbai ATS has detained a Hindu Jagran Manch member, Sunil Dhawadi, a resident of Ambapada village in Dangs, who was earlier associated with Swami Ashimanandji Maharaj8217;s ashram. Dhawadi, who was picked up from Vapi on Wednesday afternoon, has been taken to Mumbai for questioning. According to sources, Malegaon blasts suspect Sadhvi Pragya Thakur was close to the Swami, who is reported to have gone underground after her arrest.

Hindu groups join hands for legal aid

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PUNE: Hindu groups here have come together to form a 8220;Hindu Legal Aid Firm8221; to provide free legal aid to the Malegaon blast suspects and to any Hindu who, they claim, is 8220;meted out injustice8221; by the police. Announcing this on Thursday, Hemani Savarkar, president of the Hindu Mahasabha, said a bank account in the name of Hindu Legal Aid Firm has been opened in Delhi. 8220;The firm will raise funds for providing free legal aid to the Hindus who would be falsely implicated in terror acts,8221; Savarkar said in the presence of representatives of Hindu groups.