In a startling revelation following the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, retired Maharashtra ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar has alleged that he was directed by top police officials to arrest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat during the initial investigation.
Mujawar, who was associated with the probe at the time, claimed he refused to comply with the orders, which allegedly came from former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, who then served as Additional Commissioner of ATS. As a result, Mujawar says he was jailed and defamed.
“I didn’t make allegations, I stated facts already on record. My superiors instructed me to arrest Mohan Bhagwat. I refused, and they punished me — I was jailed and humiliated,” Mujawar told ANI.
His statement comes on the heels of a Mumbai Special NIA Court verdict acquitting all seven accused, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, citing the prosecution’s failure to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The acquittal has reignited political controversy. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Congress of orchestrating a false narrative around “Bhagwa (saffron) terror” for political gain and demanded an apology from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
“Congress created a conspiracy of Bhagwa terror… Witnesses were tortured, and there was no credible evidence,” Prasad alleged.
He also targeted former Home Minister P. Chidambaram for “legitimising” this narrative during the UPA regime.
Meanwhile, some opposition leaders have alleged that the verdict’s timing was a tactic to divert public attention from the 25% US tariffs imposed on Indian exports.
The Malegaon blast, which occurred on September 29, 2008, claimed six lives and injured 95 near Bhikku Chowk. Initially, 11 individuals were arrested, but charges were framed against only seven.
The victims’ families’ lawyer has announced plans to challenge the acquittal in the High Court, keeping the decade-long case in the public and legal spotlight.
