'Hindutva militants wanted to overthrow government'

The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has submitted a charge-sheet against Malegaon blast accused, claiming that they wanted to overthrow the Central government.

In the extensive 4000 page voluminous charge-sheet that was presented in the court, the ATS said that Colonel Shrikant Purohit was the chief conspirator of the entire plan as also the financier.

The other accused, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Dayanand Pandey held over 20 meetings across the country to plan violent reaction to the Muslim militants' activities. For the purpose, Sadhus (ascetics) and Army's disgruntled officers who were sympathetic to the cause of Hindutva were roped in.

The aim was to get explosives and manpower and conduct blasts in Muslim dominated areas of different cities. The laptop of self-styled Swami Dayanand Pandey had revealed incriminating details about the activities of the organisation, Abhinava Bharat, that was allegedly involved in terrorist strikes.

TIH Bureau