Security agencies mull banning Sanatan Sanstha 6 Sep 2008, 0708 hrs IST, Mateen Hafeez ,TNN MUMBAI: The anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and the state intelligence department (SID) are busy discussing if the Sanatan Sanstha, a Hindu revivalist group and sister organisation of the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, can be banned.
The ATS is conducting an in-depth probe into the affairs of the sanstha after a few of its sevaks were arrested for planting bombs in several places of the state. The ATS said members of the sanstha who were arrested included Ramesh Hanumant Gadkari (50), Mangesh Nikam (34), Santosh Angre (26), Dr Hemant Chalke (homoeopath ), Vikram Bhave (26) and patil Hari Bhau Divekar. "We are in touch with the SID and the state public prosecutor . The ATS is taking legal opinion on this issue,'' said ATS joint commissioner of police Hemant Karkare. The ATS is also trying to ascertain whether there is enough evidence to ban the organisation, said an officer. On May 31, a bomb planted in the parking lot of Gadkari Rangayatan theatre exploded ; seven persons were injured in the blast. A play, Amhi Pachpute, was to be staged there. The sanstha had protested against the play saying that it showed Hindu gods and goddesses in "poor light" . "We are busy comparing the evidence in this case with the law. If it fulfils all the requirements , then we will recommend a ban on the organisation . Discussions are on and the evidence is being examined ,'' said an officer. The arrested sevaks have also been booked for their alleged role in the Vishnu Bhave auditorium case in Vashi and for planting a bomb in a Panvel cinema. The ATS said Gadkari, Bhave and Nikam knew how to make bombs. They were all present when the bombs were being manufactured. During the interrogation, the accused said they collected the money from their savings. Moreover, Gadkari had sold his shop to become a fulltime sevak. While Gadkari and Angre stayed at Sanatan Ashram in Devat near Panvel , Nikam was arrested from Satara and Bhave was picked up from Wadala. The bombs were made at Bhave's house. The accused told the police that they hid some bomb-making material in Satara and Pen. During raids on the residence and fields of Vikram Bhave and Nikam in Warsai village of Pen (Raigad district ), the ATS seized two revolvers , a huge quantity of ammonium nitrate powder, 20 detonators, 19 gelatin sticks, timers, voltage meters, two radio circuits and remote controllers . Investigators said Hari Bhau Devkar was arrested for hiding and trying to destroy the explosives. The ATS formed 16 teams to detect the case and questioned more than 600 people in this connection. It was revealed that the accused had bought shrapnel from Panvel, eight timers from Lohar Chawl for Rs 550 each and even asked for a 5% discount. The batteries were bought from a shop in Grant Road. The circuits for the bombs were made by Gadkari who holds a diploma in electronics engineering. Detonators , gelatin sticks and ammonium nitrate were obtained from the city. Nikam and Dr Chalke were also involved in a Ratnagiri blast case of 2006 and were acquitted. Comment: This is the same HJS which has been taking the photo exhibition around Goa inciting hate and violence. I wonder why people like Vinay, Sachin, Rajan, Bhandare, Chari are all silent now. Selma was not off the mark completely when she commented that a whole generation of youngsters were being brought up on hate propaganda. Regards, Marshall
