'Not ruling out Hindu outfits links to Pune blast'

The Maharashtra government may also look at the possibility of involvement of right wing Hindu organisations in the Pune blast, a top official said on Monday.

"We have not ruled out possibility of the involvement of right wing Hindu organisations in the blast," a senior Home Department official told media-persons in Mumbai.

The official was replying to a question by reporters whether they are ruling out the involvement of any right wing Hindu organisation in the terror attack on February 13 that left 15 persons dead.

Pune, being a major centre for right wing activists, the probe will also consider their links, the official said, adding so far there has been no confirmation of involvement of any group.

Recent media reports linked Hindu organisation Abhinav Bharat, to the blast. The organisation is led by Himani Savarkar — daughter of Gopal Godse, brother of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram.

On media reports that the investigation would be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the official said ATS would continue the probe. "We have no indications from the Centre that they want the case to be transferred to NIA," the official said.