Ajmer blast: ATS likely to grill RSS leader

Jaipur: Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar is likely to be questioned in the Ajmer blast case by the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorist Squad. Kumar has been named as a key conspirator in the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case that left three persons dead and 15 others injured.

Even though Kumar has been named as the main conspirator in the Ajmer blast but so far he hasn't been charged, questioned or arrested.

Now ATS sources have told CNN-IBN that he is now likely to be questioned in the Ajmer blast case. Sources say the ATS is waiting for directions from the court before questioning him.

ATS sources say Indresh's name was mentioned in the chargesheet on the basis of facts revealed during investigation

What the ATS chargesheet says:

On October 31, 2005, Sunil Joshi along with Pragya Singh and others came to Jaipur. They stayed at the Gujarati samaj guesthouse, checking in under false names. They had a secret meeting at the guesthouse with RSS leader Indresh Kumar. Kumar suggested that they attach themselves to some religious organisation so that they can pass themselves off as pilgrims.

But many questions remain unanswered.

Why did ATS name Indresh Kumar in chargesheet, but choose not to question, arrest or charge him? He is accused of giving guidance to those who carried out the Ajmer blast. All other accused named have been charged. But why not Indresh? Is there political interference in the chargesheet filed by the ATS?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been crying foul and accused the ATS of having chargesheeted Kumar without any evidence.

"Let him be questioned and I am sure that Mr Indresh Kumar will go to the court as a citizen of the country and defend himself. But we find that the reference which is being made has no substrantial or credible basis," said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

The 806-page chargesheet in the blast case was filed by the ATS in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Jagendra Kumar Jain on October 23 against five accused.

All the five accused have been charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 120B (conspiracy) and 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship) among others.