New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today strongly criticized Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's reported remarks on the Malegaon blasts case and termed them "unnecessary."
The court's observations came in the wake of a report in a national daily that quotes Mr Bhagwat as saying that five days before the 26/11 terror attacks, the then Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare had told him that he was "under pressure to implicate right-wing outfits" in the 2006 Malegaon blasts and 2007 Samjhauta Express blast cases. Mr Karkare was killed in the attacks.
When a lawyer of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) brought to the court's notice the RSS chief's remarks, the court observed, "We were taken aback. How can such statements be made? It is unnecessary and for no benefit."
The NIA counsel reportedly told court that the remarks were intended to interfere with the judicial process.
The Supreme Court is hearing the bail plea of Malegaon blast accused Srikant Purohit and the NIA's plea for his custody.
The case has been adjourned to next month. The Supreme Court has called for the records of the case.
At least 31 people were injured and over 300 were injured in the 2006 Malegaon blasts.
The court's observations came in the wake of a report in a national daily that quotes Mr Bhagwat as saying that five days before the 26/11 terror attacks, the then Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare had told him that he was "under pressure to implicate right-wing outfits" in the 2006 Malegaon blasts and 2007 Samjhauta Express blast cases. Mr Karkare was killed in the attacks.
When a lawyer of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) brought to the court's notice the RSS chief's remarks, the court observed, "We were taken aback. How can such statements be made? It is unnecessary and for no benefit."
The NIA counsel reportedly told court that the remarks were intended to interfere with the judicial process.
The Supreme Court is hearing the bail plea of Malegaon blast accused Srikant Purohit and the NIA's plea for his custody.
The case has been adjourned to next month. The Supreme Court has called for the records of the case.
At least 31 people were injured and over 300 were injured in the 2006 Malegaon blasts.
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