HC satisfied with ATS reply to Bhagwat murder plot

The Bombay high court said on Tuesday it was satisfied with the measures adopted by anti-terrorism squad police in connection with the alleged conspiracy to murder Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Samir Kulkarni, one of the accused in the 2008, Malegaon blast case had sent a letter to the court from the jail stating that two witnesses had confessed to police about a plan to kill the RSS chief.

Kulkarni had sought action on these statements. On the last occasion, the Anti Terrorism Squad had told the court that measures have been taken to ensure Bhagwat's safety.

Today, after reading the report filed by additional commissioner of the ATS, the division bench of Justices B H Marlapalle and Anup Mohta said that no further directions were required. The petition was later disposed of.

The ATS report said the alleged plot as revealed in the statements of Shyam Apte and Nitin Joshi (both prosecution witnesses) was probed, but it led to no further clues.

Concerning filing a separate FIR in this regard, ATS said that the chargesheet in blast case has already been filed and entire evidence, including these statements, will be placed before the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Activities (Prevention) court at the time of framing of charges.