FRONT PAGE | Sunday, November 9, 2008 | Email | Print | 
Army, ATS at loggerheads
T N Raghunatha | Mumbai
Malegaon probe plummets into political game
The ongoing probe into the Malegaon blast case is fast receding into a dirty political game with far-reaching consequences, one of which is putting the Indian Army at loggerheads with Maharashtra’s Anti-Terror Squad.
At a time when a section of the media is having a field day reporting on selective leaks by ATS, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has created a stir by saying: "Several big persons are involved in the blast and their names may come out in the probe.”
With the ATS still in the midst of a probe, Deshmukh's statement, made at a function to celebrate completion of four years of Congress-led Democratic Front Government's rule in the State, has surprised many.
His prophesy – coupled with the fact that State Congress' poll propaganda chief Gurudas Kamat also went for the kill demanding the arrest of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for supporting blast accused Sadhvi Pragya — has exposed the Congress' game-plan to derive maximum political mileage out of the probe for its forthcoming Assembly poll campaign in five States. What is more disturbing is the apprehension that the State Government is using the ATS to exploit the blast politically to take on Hindu outfits in the polls.
First, Deshmukh's statement indicates he is privy to "details" of investigations. Second, Maharashtra leaders, have gone the whole hog in politicising the probe.
The ATS, too, has done its bit to abet the Congress gameplan by systematically and selectively leaking information damning not only Hindu organisations but also the Indian Army, a move which is testing now its own credibility.
On one hand, ATS chief Hemant Karkare refused to discuss with the media on November 3, 2008 the issues relating to a 15-page transcript of a purported telephonic chat between the Sadhvi and absconding "blast mastermind" Ramji Kalsangara which the prosecution produced at a Nashik court earlier in the day.
On the other, sections of the media have been singing — be it on what transpired during questioning of the accused or "confessions" by the Sadhvi and Purohit, or who has been detained, who will be arrested next or even how many more serving and ex-Armymen are being questioned. Observers attribute the “comprehensive media coverage” more to the enthusiasm of ATS in sharing "information" with select journalists than reporters’ zeal. Most reports quote "ATS sources". This despite the fact that the ATS chief has said, “I cannot reveal much".
Sample the contradictions in reportage: Sadhvi Pragya has long been projected as the key player; in her narco test, she denied her role but justified the blast; Ramji is the "mastermind" who planted the explosive-laden mobike at Bikhu Chowk. Purohit is also a “mastermind” for allegedly organising RDX and providing funds. Reports have speculated, without any evidence, that a high ranking Army officer like him "could have access to explosives in Army depots".
Denying reports that Purohit supplied RDX, Army sources said no unit, let alone an officer, has access to explosives which is in the sole custody of ordnance factories.
Serious doubts are being expressed on whether the ATS has enough evidence to nail the accused it has arrested so far and whether the evidence would stand in court.
The other, and far more crucial fallout, is that the Army and ATS are at loggerheads, a situation which may lead to deeper trouble. Though the Army has been assisting the ATS, its brass is perturbed over the manner in which Purohit’s so-called confessions have been leaked.
Though the ATS has denied doing this, the Army feels such leaks are discrediting the entire institution, sources said on Saturday. They also denied reports that other serving officers are under the scanner even as the ATS picked up two more persons from Pune and Vapi in connection with the probe.
This is the first-ever case of a serving officer being arrested for such an act. Quoting the excellent track record of the Armed Force, informed Army sources said no evidence had come up in the ATS investigations.
However, the leaks have already labelled Purohit guilty, they said, adding that the Lt Col was not a mastermind as reported. The Army has requested presence of Military Intelligence men during Purohit’s brain mapping.
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