Mumbai: In a dramatic revelation that could reignite political controversy, retired Maharashtra ATS Inspector Mehboob Mujawar has claimed that during the 2008 Malegaon blast investigation, he was instructed by then-ATS chief Param Bir Singh and “even higher authorities” to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Speaking publicly after the recent acquittal of all accused in the Malegaon blast case by a special NIA court, Mujawar alleged that he was given explicit operational orders to act against key individuals linked to the RSS, as part of what he described as a push to frame a narrative of “saffron terror.”
According to Mujawar, he was:
- Assigned ten officers from Maharashtra to assist him.
- Provided funds through the Service Secret Fund.
- Officially issued a revolver by the ATS for the operation.
He stated, “Whatever I said about Mohan Bhagwat or my role in the investigation was entirely based on instructions from Param Bir Singh and higher-ups. I was just following orders.”
Mujawar also mentioned that among the individuals he was directed to target were Ramji Kalsangre, Sandeep Dange, and Dilip Patidar—figures who were linked to the original probe but later reported missing or untraceable. “All these orders were not such that one could legally carry out. I had no choice,” he said.
The claims follow the NIA court’s verdict on July 31, 2025, which found no credible evidence against the seven accused, including BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit. The court called out serious flaws and contradictions in the original investigation, which was initially conducted by the ATS before being transferred to the NIA.
