Malegaon Blast Case Acquittal: Court Rejects Arrest Claims Against RSS Chief

A special court has delivered its verdict, acquitting seven individuals in the September 2008 Malegaon blast case while dismissing claims by a former Maharashtra ATS official about alleged orders to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Special NIA Judge A K Lahoti's extensive judgment refuted the assertions made by Sudhakar Dwivedi's advocate, which relied on statements from ex-ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar. Mujawar had claimed orders to arrest Bhagwat, to substantiate a narrative of 'saffron terror.'

The judgment also dismissed the defense's reliance on ACP Mohan Kulkarni's statement, confirming that Mujawar was never instructed to apprehend any RSS member but was sent to locate two absconding suspects instead.

(With inputs from agencies.)