Not probing Togadia in Malegaon blast: ATS

The Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad on Monday said the name of any Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, including Pravin Togadia, has not come up so far in the course of its investigations into the Malegaon blast.

"In our investigations so far, no such names have come up," ATS chief Hemant Karkare told a TV channel when asked about all the links that are coming up of VHP leaders, especially of Togadia, in connection with Lieutenant Colonel Srikant Prasad Purohit, who was arrested in connection with the blast.

Asked pointedly if Togadia's name came up, Karkare said, "We are focusing on the Malegaon blast and in connection with Malegaon, no such organisation's name has come up".

To a question about media reports that some Malegaon blast accused wanted to eliminate some Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders, Karakare said, "Some references had come during the interrogation. But we are focusing on Malegaon. We have not investigated any other plot to kill any other person".