By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
New Delhi: The Karnataka police on January 12 arrested nine persons, believed to be activists of Hindutva extremist organization Sri Ram Sena, in Bagalkot in connection with the Hubli court blast that took place in May last year. The Police have seized live bombs, gun powder, lethal weapons, Rs 11 lakh in cash, gold, silver and a motorbike from them.
The bomb blast in the Hubli court premises was triggered on May 10, 2008. On May 12, 2008 some SIMI activists were scheduled to be produced in the Hubli court. There was no casualty as the court was closed on that day. In no time, SIMI and Lashkar-e-Toiba were blamed for the blast, and Muslim youths were picked.
One of them was Zakti Shaukat Ali Iqbal Ahmed from Belgaum, who was held at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on August 4, 2008 in connection with the Hubli court blast. He had arrived from Muscat. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) handed him over to the Karnataka police.
Now after arresting the nine-member gang of hardcore criminals, who are also said to be affiliated with Hindutva extremist organization, the police said they were involved in the Hubli court blast.
The arrested have been identified as Nagaraj Jambagi (24), Ramesh Pawar (24), Basavaraj Diggi (22), Manjunath Binjawadagi (19), Deepak Govindakar (28), Lingaraj Jalgar (24), Basavaraj Rugi (20), Hanamant Sainasakali (22) and Channabasappa Hunasagi (35) – all from Karnataka.
The police said the ten-member gang led by Nagaraj Jambagi was involved in bomb blast, and some other murder and robbery cases. One of their accomplices Lakshman Bandiwaddar was killed by the gang members earlier over some money matter.
The police are describing them as hardcore criminals, and not affiliated with any Hindutva organization. The Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, however, says Nagaraj Jambagi is personal secretary of Pramod Tilak, chief of Sri Ram Sena. Tilak is former Bajrang Dal member. Some time back he quit Bajrang Dal and formed Sri Ram Sena and announced to form Hindu suicide squads.