Malegaon blast: NIA court to frame charges likely on September 5

The special National Investigating Agency (NIA) court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Sudhakar Dhardiwedi alias Dayanand Pandey, an accused arrested in the Malegaon 2008 blast case after he failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons. The court has informed the agency to arrest the accused and produce him before the court on the next date, September 5, when the court is likely to frame charges in the case. Pande was granted bail by the NIA court, however, was asked to be present before the court on its regular dates.

On September 29,2008, an explosive was planted in LML motorcycle opposite Shakil goods transport in Malegaon which had claimed six lives and had injured 101 people. The investigation in the case was carried out by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) which was led by Hemant Karkare. Inquiry in the case unearthed the alleged involvement of the Hindu terror group, Abhinav Bharat. The first arrest was of Sadhavi Pragya Singh Thakur. The further probe in the case took these officials to several cities including Pune, Nashik, Bhopal and Indore. The visits to these cities led to the arrests of Army officer Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit and retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay were arrested. Later the NIA took over the investigation in the case.

BAIL REVOKED

• The National Investigating Agency court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Dayanand Pande, after he failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons