Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday dismissed accusations against the Government on lt-Col Shrikant Purohit getting bail in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case and said whoever deserves justice would get it as Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh claimed the BJP Government was protecting all those linked with the RSS and involved in bomb blasts.
There was no conspiracy about it, he said when asked for a response to Singh’s comment. He added that it was a "process of the judiciary" and the Government did not need to intervene. "What is the conspiracy about itIJ The Congress has the habit of raising this issue. Why should we interveneIJ This is a process (that was) started a long time back and it's a process of the judiciary. Why should we interveneIJ "Whosoever deserves justice will get it. My saying anything won't change it," Rijiju told reporters on the sidelines of an event of the border guarding force ITBP.
He added that he would not like to comment on statements made by Singh on the issue. “He (Digvijaya Singh) has the habit of saying all these things. Why should I respond to thatIJ,” the Minister said.
The Congress general secretary had tweeted saying: “Col Purohit gets Bail. It was expected as the present BJP Govt is protecting all the accused connected with RSS in all Bomb Blast cases.” “NIA Chief has been given two extensions to ensure their acquittal. He may now be further rewarded for a suitable post retirement position,” he added in another tweet. Opposition party also raised questions over National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Sharad Kumar getting two extensions and hoped that justice would be done in the Malegaon serial blasts case, “without fear or favour”.
At the AICC briefing, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said grant of bail was neither a proof of innocence nor guilt as bail was essentially a court's prerogative. “An interim bail frankly has no reflection or connection with the merits of the case as we understand that a chargesheet has been filed. The matter is under adjudication and a trial court will determine it,” he said.
AICC chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said Purohit getting bail was neither a reflection of his guilt nor innocence as he was facing a trial.
“Why is that the (Narendra) Modi Government cannot find any competent police officer in India to head the NIA that they have to give two extensions to its current chiefIJ”