Maharashtra ATS seizes explosives, arrests suspected member of right-wing organisation

The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) officers on Thursday night picked up a Gau Rakshak having an alleged affiliation with a right-wing organisation for allegedly possessing explosive material.

According to the police sources, suspect Vaibhav Raut was picked up by an ATS team from his Bhandarali residence in Nalasopara (W) and found explosive from his possession.

Raut was then brought to Mumbai late night and he is being questioned in this regard. 

Sunil Ghanvat, State Organiser, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Maharashtra, said, "The news is breaking since Thursday night that Vaibhav Raut has been arrested from Nala Sopara, Mumbai. Its also mentioned in the media that Raut is a seeker of Sanatan Sanstha. Vaibhav Raut is daring cow-protector (Gou-Rakshak) and was active through an organisation dedicated to the protection of cows, 'Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti'."

Ghanvat also said that Raut used to participate in the programmes and agitations organised through uniting Hindu organisations under the aegis of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; however, Raut had not participated in any of the programmes since last few months.

"The incidents of needless harassment of activists of Hindu organisations, to implicate them in false cases, etc. are not new anymore. This has been amply proved through Malegaon case, the arrest of many innocent seekers of Sanatan Sanstha, etc. Considering the news being disseminated today, it has created doubts about whether the arrest of Vaibhav Raut is an instance of 'Malegaon Part 2," he added.