Dagdusheth blasts: ATS identifies 5 suspects

A breakthrough in the July 2014 blast at the famous Dagdusheth Ganpati temple in Pune seems likely with the state ATS managing to locate five people responsible for the crime.

The blasts in the congested area had led to six people, including policemen, being injured. A case has been registered at the Vishrambag police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the explosives Act.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told the state legislative assembly on Tuesday that they had managed to confirm the identities of five people involved in the case, but added that this could not be revealed as that would hamper the investigations.

"We have been able to understand their identities and are coordinating with the central agencies to nab them," said Fadnavis, adding that the accused were also involved in the Chennai blasts and in a bank robbery in Andhra Pradesh. He said the aid of central agencies was necessary as these accused were likely to flee elsewhere.

Responding to Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress), who demanded Central Industrial Security Force protection for the Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, Ahmednagar, which too is facing security threats, Fadnavis said he would immediately communicate with the Centre and ensure necessary follow-up.

He also promised to write to the CBI director and prime minister Narendra Modi for a speedier and in-depth inquiry into the murder of rationalist and anti-superstition crusader Dr Narendra Dabholkar, who was murdered in Pune in 2013 while on his morning walk.

The CBI is probing the case and Fadnavis said he had written to the agency in the past for a speedier probe.