2008 Malegaon blast: BJP protecting all RSS-linked accused, says Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress accused on Monday the BJP government of “protecting” all the accused “connected to the RSS” after the Supreme Court granted bail to 2008 Malegaon blast accused Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit.

The opposition party also raised questions over National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Sharad Kumar getting two extensions and hoped that justice would be done in the Malegaon case “without fear or favour”.

“Col Purohit gets Bail. It was expected as the present BJP Govt is protecting all the accused connected with RSS in all Bomb Blast cases (sic),” Congress leader Digivijaya Singh wrote on Twitter.

In another tweet, he said, “NIA chief has been given two extensions to ensure their acquittal. He may now be further rewarded for a suitable post retirement position (sic).”

Randeep Singh Surjewala, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of communications department, said Purohit getting bail was neither a reflection of his guilt nor innocence as he was facing a trial.

“Why is that the (Narendra) Modi government cannot find any competent police officer in India to head the NIA that they have to give two extensions to its current chief?

“We sincerely hope that the law will take its own course and justice will be done, free from fear or favour, in this case,” he said.

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Union minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the Congress’ accusations, saying whoever deserved justice would get it.

“What is the conspiracy about it? The Congress has the habit of raising this issue. Why should we intervene? This is a process (that was) started a long time back and it’s a process of the judiciary. Why should we intervene?

“Whosoever deserves justice will get it. My saying anything won’t change it,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event of the border guarding force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Rijiju added that he would not like to comment on statements made by Digvijaya Singh on the issue.

“He (Singh) has the habit of saying all these things. Why should I respond to that?,” the minister said.

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Purohit in the Malegaon blast case. A bench of justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre granted bail to Purohit, setting aside a Bombay High Court order which had denied him bail earlier. The apex court said it had imposed certain conditions on Purohit while granting bail.