Mumbai, Thursday 20 November 2008: Rejecting all charges of ‘political pressure’, the Maharashtra Anti Terror Squad (ATS) on Thursday said that all Malegaon blast accused will be charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

“All 11 accused are a part of an organised crime syndicate. They will be tried under MCOCA,” Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare told media in a press conference.

The accused include self-styled Swami Dayanand Pande, Sadhvi Pragya, and Lt. Col. Sreekanth Purohit. Purohit was on Wednesday remanded to two-day police custody. Another accused, Sameer Kulkarni sent to a day’s police custody.

Karkare rejected all speculation of political or media pressure influencing the ATS investigation. He also said that Col Purohit had told the court that the ATS had not ill-treated him.

“Charges of Purohit’s ill-treatment are wrong. He has told the court the same,” Karkare emphasised.

MCOCA gives investigating agency plenty of room to continue their probe, as the accused will not be able to seek bail for 6 months. It can also seek extension to the time required for filing a charge sheet.

The ATS chief said gathering evidence was difficult and that every aspect is being thoroughly looked into.

Over the information about Army RDX being used in Samjhauta blast, Karkare said it was the statement of a witness that needed to be verified. He also informed they were hoping to retrieve some concrete link between Purohit and Dayanand from the former’s laptop.

As far as demand of handing over the investigation to CID, the ATS chief expressed confidence that his team will continue the probe. (Agency)