We have evidence, may arrest more: ATS chief

CHIEF TALK: Hemant Karkare (inset) rubbishes allegations that Malegaon suspects were tortured.

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Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare says the arrests of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, a Hindu spiritual leader, and Lt Col Srikant Prasad Purohit and their interrogation has given the ATS enough proof to convict those accused of being involved in the blast.

Those arrested have also alleged that the ATS has been torturing them. CNN-IBN spoke to the ATS chief Hemant Karkare to find out the truth behind these allegations and if his team has been successful in gathering the required evidence to convict the accused.

CNN-IBN: Do you have hard evidence to convict Sadhvi Pragya and Lt Col Purohit that goes beyond SMSs and the file fact that they were seen together in the video and the bike that was found in the Malegaon?

Hemant Karkare: Well, the conviction is given by the court at the time of trial. The process of investigation is on and we are gathering evidence. I am quite satisfied that my team is collecting as much evidence as possible and it will be presented to the court at the time of trial.

CNN-IBN: You are using Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against these accused, what is the nature of the evidence that you have?

Hemant Karkare: The relevant section of the law is applicable based on evidence which is gathered during the investigation. It is not a matter of convenience for investigation, it is a matter of evidence. As the evidence was unfolding in the present case, we found that the relevant sections of MCOCA Section 3 and its some subsections are applicable in this case. That is why it has been applied. It is not a question of expediency, it is a question of law and it is the question of evidence.

CNN-IBN: But the big question is whether the ATS is under political pressure. Have you been contacted by any political leader?

Hemant Karkare: I would like to repeat that there is absolutely no pressure from any quarter on my team of investigators. We are doing a completely professional job and we are proceeding with each step after the evidence available is evaluated, corroborated to some extent. Only then the next steps are taken.

CNN-IBN: It is not just Malegaon but there is a feeling that there could be links between Malegaon, Jalna, Nanded and even the Samjhauta train blast. Are you seeing a wider conspiracy involving this network you claim that you busted - the “saffron terror” network?

Hemant Karkare: We are presently focussing on investigation of Malegaon blast. If in this investigation, some leads come up with respect to other cases, they will be passed on to relevant investigation agencies at the appropriate time. Presently, our focus is mainly on investigation of Malegaon bomb blast case.

CNN-IBN: But this is what we have been hearing. Have you also told the court that the group is also wanted in other blasts across the country? This is something the ATS has been saying to us.

Hemant Karkare: See, it is a process. Process of investigation is checking up the evidence which becomes available to us through various means - witness statements, documentary evidence, the technical evidence, the background. So, this will be a bit premature to comment on any step before the investigation is concluded.

CNN-IBN: You are not giving us much details about the evidence but what about the allegations against your agency, the ATS? The allegation of torture that have even been leveled by the politicians.

Hemant Karkare: I am perfectly clear that we have not used any illegal means of interrogation. It is perfectly respecting the legal processes, the human rights. I would just like to add that few of these complaints have been sent to the court and we would be submitting our report to the court. The matter is subjudice. As you also mentioned about allegations made by family of Colonel Purohit, here I would like to state Colonel Purohit has stated in the court that he has not been given any ill-treatment at the hands of ATS.

CNN-IBN: So, do you have clear leads against the Sadhvi or is this is a fishing expedition? Are you convinced that the army man and the Sadhvi are involved definitely in the Malegaon in the conspiracy?

Hemant Karkare: (You are) cent per cent right when you say we are conducting investigation only based on the leads which we have. Not only just the leads, the leads which are verified and corroborated. Only based on such leads, we are proceeding with the investigation. It is certainly not any fishing expedition.

CNN-IBN: Will, there be more arrests? Can we expect for example more army officers to be arrested, are there more individuals involved in this operation?

Hemant Karkare: Well, it depends on the evidence which is being unfolded. As the evidence make available, we may arrest, if required, more accused.