India News

Hindu right wing outfit members arrested, explosives seized by Maharashtra ATS

Published

8 years ago

August 11, 2018

Hindu right wing outfit members arrested, explosives seized by Maharashtra ATS

Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) claimed to have averted a major terror attack with the arrest of three members reportedly belonging to Hindu right wing outfit Sanatan Sanstha after recovering eight country-made bombs, other explosives and literature.

All three accused, nabbed following leads provided by team probing journalist Gauri Lankesh murder case in Bengaluru, were produced in a sessions court and remanded to police custody till August 18, reported The Indian Express (IE).

The three have been arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code and Explosives Act. According to the ATS, they have recovered 22 items including 20 crude bombs, two gelatin sheets, a note on how to prepare bombs, one six-volt battery, a few loose wires, transistors and glue from the arrested.

The bombs recovered from Raut’s house were “ready” for use, reported IE quoting sources. “They were up to something sinister and the bombs were active and ready to be used. Such a huge cache recovered before Independence day and Bakrid is reason enough to worry. Our probe is now focusing on the purpose behind assembling so many bombs, were they planning a coordinated attack or otherwise, who trained them and related questions,” said an official.

Among the arrested is Vaibhav Raut (40), allegedly a member of the Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti and is also said to be a sympathiser of the right wing Sanatan Sanstha, said media reports.

Suspects allegedly linked to the Sanatan Sanstha were involved in the murders of three rationalists – Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi – and the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Another accused, Sudhanwa Gondhalekar (39) from Satara, is a member of the Shri Shivapratishthan Hindustan, whose chief is Sambhaji Bhide. Bhide has been booked in two criminal cases in connection with violence near Bhima Koregaon on January 1 by the Pune Police.

The third accused, Sharad Kasalkar (25) was arrested along with Raut from Raut’s Nallasopara residence. Sources said that the ATS recovered a note on making bombs from Kasalkar and that Gondhalekar had knowledge of explosives and trained the other two men on assembling them.

The explosives have been handed over to the Mumbai Forensic Science Laboratory to ascertain its nature. “We want to know source of these explosives and how Raut intended to use them and therefore his custodial interrogation is necessary,” said an official requesting anonymity.

The ATS is also probing links between the three men arrested and the murders of three rationalists and Gauri Lankesh. “While there is no doubt that they were closely affiliated to Sanatan Sanstha, we think these are two different modules that co-existed but worked differently. While the four murders were executed using weapons, in this case, crude bombs have been recovered, we suspect that this is a different module,” said an official.

“During the course of the investigation into the murder of Lankesh, a diary was recovered, this dairy was shared with the Maharashtra Police. However, the names of the arrested are not mentioned in the diary,” said another senior official.

The Sanatan Sanstha has denied the three men are its members. “Raut is not a seeker of Sanatan; however, he had been actively involved in numerous rallies and processions organised by devout Hindu organisations. Although Raut is not a seeker of Sanatan, we believe that any Hindu working for the cause of Hindutva and for Dharma, is Sanatan’s own,” stated a press release by Sanatan Sanstha.

While the right-wing outfit denied Raut being an active member, Sanatan Sanstha advocate Sanjeev Punelikar told the press that Raut was acquainted to its member. “Raut had been externed by the Palghar police in connection with a beef ban case. While he is a hindutva worker, he isn’t our member. However I doubt the ATS claim of he hoarding explosives,” he said.

Sanatan Sanstha will, however, provide legal aid to Raut, Punelikar was reported to have said.

In the court, special public prosecutor, Sunil Gonsalves, representing the ATS, had sought 15 days custody of the three men. He submitted that they had received secret information on August 7 about the three men and that they were conspiring to carry out “terror activities” in Mumbai, Pune, Satara, Solapur and Nallasopara, reported IE.

Special Judge Adkar said that prima facie there was evidence to show that the accused were involved in a conspiracy. He further said the allegations were “very serious” and that “incriminating articles were found”. He, however, said that he was not inclined to grant custody for 15 days and sent the three men to police custody till August 18.

Ban Sanatan Sanstha, demands Opposition

The Opposition has demanded that the government ban the right-wing Hindu outfit Sanatan Sanstha.

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said, “The Congress government had sent a proposal to ban the Sanatan Sanstha, but no action has been taken against the group so far. Its office-bearers can be spotted in the Mantralaya interacting with ministers and officials. The government must take cognisance of the fact that this organisation is involved in committing murders and planting bombs.”

The Nationalist Congress Party demanded an investigation into the arrests. NCP State unit chief Jayant Patil said, “Had it been a member of a minority group who had been found with the explosives, he would have been accused of being linked with Pakistan. Today, explosives were found with a member of Sanatan Sanstha. The government must investigate the matter in detail.” Patil demanded that an investigation be conducted into the Malegaon blast as well following the seizure of explosives in Nallasopara.

Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, referring to Vaibhav Raut, who is also allegedly affiliated with the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti and is accused of planning to instigate riots by setting off explosions in religious places, said, “This man already has cases of rioting against him and the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has come out in his support, terming the arrest ‘Malegaon part 2’.”

Vikhe-Patil said, This clearly shows the intent of this organisation. The government must take immediate steps to ban all extremist organisations.”

He said members of right-wing Hindu organisations have been found to be behind the murders of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar, CPI leader Govind Pansare, professor MM Kalburgi, and Kannada journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Related Topics:ATS Maharashtra MM Kalburgi Terrorist

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India stresses mutual respect in ties with Italy after Congress’ Meloni remark

India stressed mutual respect and understanding in its ties with Italy after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, made remarks involving Giorgia Meloni.

Published

5 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

India underlined the importance of maintaining mutual respect and understanding in its relationship with Italy, a day after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India and Italy share strong bilateral ties and expressed its commitment to further strengthening the relationship.

“We share deep and strong ties with Italy, and we are committed to further strengthening this relationship,” the MEA said. It added that friendship and bilateral relations between countries should be maintained within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.

The statement came after a political controversy over remarks made at a Congress event in Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi’s mock hug draws BJP criticism

At the Congress event, Rahul Gandhi greeted party leader Sandeep Dikshit with a mock hug. Gandhi had earlier criticised the Prime Minister’s approach to diplomacy, suggesting that it was being reduced to symbolic gestures such as hugging foreign leaders.

Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange with a remark, following which Rahul Gandhi played along.

The episode drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the Congress leader of using inappropriate language against the Prime Minister and lowering the dignity associated with the office of the Leader of Opposition.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s conduct and said India required mature leadership. He also criticised remarks in which Gandhi had referred to the government as “jokers and clowns”.

BJP leaders target Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also attacked Rahul Gandhi, describing him as “mentally frustrated” and questioning his conduct.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Rahul Gandhi’s language was inconsistent with the dignity expected from the Leader of Opposition.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the Congress leader, saying that while disagreement with Prime Minister Modi was legitimate, bringing a foreign woman leader into what he described as a crude joke was neither appropriate nor statesmanlike.

The MEA’s statement, meanwhile, focused on India’s bilateral relationship with Italy and reiterated that mutual respect and understanding remain important to maintaining ties between the two countries.

India News

Assam BJP leader Bikash Dhar found dead, 5 arrested for murder

BJP leader Bikash Dhar, 52, was found dead in an abandoned house in Assam’s Sribhumi district after being reported missing on August 12. Police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged murder.

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

A 52-year-old BJP leader who had been missing for two days was found dead in Assam’s Sribhumi district on Friday, with police alleging that he was murdered.

Bikash Dhar, a resident of Chagalmowa village under Bazaricherra police station, was found dead inside an abandoned house in the Yogicherra area near the Tripura border on Friday morning.

Dhar’s family had filed a missing complaint on August 12 after he left home following a phone call.

According to his son Madan Dhar, Bikash left around 1 pm after saying that he had to attend an emergency meeting. When he did not return and his phone was switched off, the family began searching for him and later approached the police.

Five arrested in murder case

Sribhumi Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said an investigation was launched after the missing complaint was received. The probe was conducted under the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime).

Police said five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder. They were identified as Abdul Salam, Sifat Ali, Abdul Ahad, Saiful Ali and Badrul Haque.

According to the police, interrogation of Abdul Salam revealed that the accused had an enmity with Dhar. Police alleged that the group killed him and dumped his body near a water body.

Another person, identified as Sunam Miya, was named during the investigation and reportedly fled to Tripura on the night of the incident.

Police find injury and cut marks on body

Police said injury and cut marks were found on Dhar’s body, and a murder case has been registered.

During the recovery of the alleged weapon, police said accused Badrul Haque attempted to escape from custody. A police constable was injured during the incident.

Police said they fired at Haque’s leg to prevent him from escaping, resulting in a bullet wound.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dhar’s death and the alleged involvement of the accused is underway.

India News

Jharkhand CID raids multiple locations in JPSC exam irregularities case

Jharkhand CID conducted raids across several districts to arrest seven accused in a case involving alleged irregularities in JPSC competitive examinations.

Published

15 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has conducted raids at several locations across the state as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

According to a CID press release, the searches were carried out to arrest seven accused named in Case No. 16/2026 and execute warrants issued against them.

The accused have been identified as Aditya Pandey, Pawan Kumar Singh, Ravishankar Kumar, Santosh Kumar Singh, Sanand Prakash, Lalu Kumar Yadav and Saurabh Kumar Pandey.

The CID conducted searches in several districts as part of efforts to apprehend the accused. The agency said its investigation into the case is continuing.

CID examining evidence in exam irregularities case

The case relates to alleged irregularities in various competitive examinations conducted by the JPSC.

As part of the investigation, the CID has begun matching OMR carbon copies obtained during the probe and examining other evidence collected in the case.

The agency said further action would be taken according to law on the basis of the evidence gathered. It added that legally permissible action against those found involved in the case is underway.

ABVP protests over JPSC, JSSC exams

The CID raids come amid protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in examinations conducted by the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

On August 13, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held protests in several cities, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and strict action against those responsible.

In New Delhi, students and ABVP workers protested outside Jharkhand Bhawan, calling on the Jharkhand government to take steps to restore confidence in the examination system.

According to the ABVP, similar protests were held in Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati, Agartala, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Gorakhpur, Jodhpur, Kota, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi and Prayagraj, as well as at university campuses.

The student organisation has sought an impartial CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. It has also demanded cancellation of the JSSC CGL examination, citing concerns over its integrity, along with fresh examinations where irregularities have been reported.

Meanwhile, JPSC-JSSC aspirants continue to protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. The ABVP has also alleged that students protesting peacefully on August 10 and 11 faced lathi-charge, water cannons and arrests.

Jharkhand CID has conducted raids at multiple locations in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC competitive examinations and efforts to arrest seven accused named in Case No. 16/2026.

The action comes amid continuing student protests demanding a CBI probe into alleged JPSC-JSSC exam irregularities.