Former Officer Alleges Orders to Frame RSS Chief in Malegaon Blast Case

A retired police officer, Mehiboob Mujawar, has made significant allegations, claiming he was instructed to arrest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to construct a 'Bhagwa terror' narrative in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Mujawar, who was part of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) that initially probed the incident, revealed these claims following a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court's recent acquittal of all seven accused, including BJP MP Pragya Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit. He stated this verdict exposed "fake things" and a "fabricated investigation" conducted by a "fake officer".

Mujawar specifically alleged he received "confidential orders" to act against individuals such as Ram Kalsangra, Sandip Dange, Dilip Patidar, and the RSS chief. He described these orders as "horrific" and chose not to comply, stating it was "beyond my capacity to apprehend a towering personality like Mohan Bhagwat". Mujawar claims his refusal led to a false case being registered against him, which he asserts "destroyed his 40-year career". He firmly believes the "saffron terror" theory was entirely fabricated, maintaining, "There was no saffron terrorism. Everything was fake".

The 2008 Malegaon blast, which occurred near a mosque during Ramzan and on the eve of Navratri, resulted in six deaths and numerous injuries. While the ATS initially arrested Pragya Thakur and Prasad Purohit, alleging links to a right-wing extremist group, the subsequent NIA investigation reportedly found major flaws in the ATS probe. The special court, in its acquittal, highlighted the lack of "cogent and reliable evidence" and has also directed an enquiry into serious allegations against an ATS officer.