Many names are expected to surface when ATS questions Swami Aseemanand in the 2008 Malegaon blast case

Many more Hindu radicals may go underground before the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) questions Swami Aseemanand in the Malegaon blast case.


Swami Aseemanand has confessed to the Hindu outfit's role in the 2006 and 2008 Malegaon blasts and is in judicial custody until January 27

Mumbai ATS has been waiting to question Aseemanand since he confessed about the Hindu outfit role in the 2006 and 2008 Malegaon blasts.

But more than the ATS, a number of Hindu radicals are allegedly a worried lot as there is a possibility of many names being revealed by Aseemanand during the interrogation.

Aseemanand is under judicial custody till January 27 and the ATS team can apply for his interrogation or question him only after his judicial custody is over and he is transferred to police custody.

"Aseemanand's revelations form a very important part of the Malegaon blasts probe. There are a number of Hindu radicals who have been underground, as there names had appeared during the investigation.
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But Aseemanand's interrogation will send many more behind bars and hence there are chances of them going underground," said an ATS official, who was part of the investigation team.
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"Aseemanand's name had appeared during the questioning of the arrested accused.
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But he is not on the wanted list, as we did not have the evidence to prove his involvement. He is a very important person and a mediator of the outfit."

The official added that there were many others whose names had appeared for attending the meetings and being a part of the Hindu radical's camp, but there was no evidence to nab them.

"Now Aseemanand's interrogation will help to not only book him under the Malegaon blast, but many others," he said.

The ATS had arrested 11 accused in the 2008, September 29, bombings and names of three accused were on the wanted list.

ATS Chief Rakesh Maria had said earlier that they have asked for a certified copy of the confession and will take legal opinion on the same.