NABBED: The ATS squad takes Ramesh Gadkari (C) and Mangesh Nikam (in white shirt) to the Mazgaon court on Monday
Mumbai: Ramesh Gadkari, a sevak of the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, a religious organisation, arrested in connection with the Thane and Vashi theatre blasts, was so convinced with the Samiti’s preaching that he sold his electronics shop a few years ago and started living at the organisation’s hostel near Panvel.
The 50-year-old diploma-holder in electronics engineering was arrested on Monday along with another sevak, Mangesh Nikam. He was booked under various charges of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosive Act.
“Gadkari had an electronics shop, Umresh Electricals, at Andheri between 1981 and 2000 and the shop was doing well. During that time he came in touch with the sevaks of the Samiti and was so convinced by its preaching that he decided to become one,” said inspector B B Rathor. “He sold his shop and deposited the money in a bank. The family lives on the interest earned through this deposit. Three years ago, he left his Sangli residence and shifted to Sanatan Sanstha near Panvel.’’
Gadkari’s wife Neela also became a sevika, says Rathor. “Even his two son-inlaws are also sevaks of Sanatan. He would take part in the organisation’s activities and had also opposed the play Amhi Pachpute. The Samiti had earlier said the play had shown Hindu gods and goddesses in poor light and they had protested against it,’’ added Rathor.
The ATS said Gadkari along with Nikam conspired to avenge the humiliation. “Nikam, a resident of Satara, had learnt how to make bombs from a welldigger. He used to come to Sanatan and befriended Gadkari. During the recent protest, the duo decided to take the initiative and Nikam brought detonators, explosive, shrapnel, ammonium nitrate and other ingredients and made the bomb in a room at Sanatan’s hostel,’’ said an officer. One more person identified as Dave was present while the bomb was being made.
Another bomb was made at Dave’s residence in Ratnagiri. Nikam had taught Gadkari, Dave and three others how to make bombs. “The accused hatched the bomb blast conspiracy in the last week of January,’’ said an officer. Gadkari had kept some detonators and explosives at Nikam’s residence and asked him to destroy it after he was summoned for questioning.
“Nikam was arrested along with eight others for planting a bomb outside the door of one Ashok Chavan at Shanti Nagar Nachne in Ratnagiri. A Christian missionary, preaching to Chavan and Nikam, felt that Chavan would be converted. The police arrested all the nine accused but they were acquitted by the court on April 17 this year,’’ said the officer.
The bombs were manufactured just six to eight hours in advance from the time fixed on the timer.
“Gadkari had rode out on a motorcycle from the hostel to plant the bomb and its registration number was recorded at the hostel’s entry gate. The same motorcycle was parked at the Thane theatre’s parking lot and there also the number was registered. Gadkari left the parking lot after planting the bomb on June 4. On that day he rode around 150 km before returning,’’ added an officer.
mateen.hafeez@timesgroup.com
The Times of India, June 17, 2008
The 50-year-old diploma-holder in electronics engineering was arrested on Monday along with another sevak, Mangesh Nikam. He was booked under various charges of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosive Act.
“Gadkari had an electronics shop, Umresh Electricals, at Andheri between 1981 and 2000 and the shop was doing well. During that time he came in touch with the sevaks of the Samiti and was so convinced by its preaching that he decided to become one,” said inspector B B Rathor. “He sold his shop and deposited the money in a bank. The family lives on the interest earned through this deposit. Three years ago, he left his Sangli residence and shifted to Sanatan Sanstha near Panvel.’’
Gadkari’s wife Neela also became a sevika, says Rathor. “Even his two son-inlaws are also sevaks of Sanatan. He would take part in the organisation’s activities and had also opposed the play Amhi Pachpute. The Samiti had earlier said the play had shown Hindu gods and goddesses in poor light and they had protested against it,’’ added Rathor.
The ATS said Gadkari along with Nikam conspired to avenge the humiliation. “Nikam, a resident of Satara, had learnt how to make bombs from a welldigger. He used to come to Sanatan and befriended Gadkari. During the recent protest, the duo decided to take the initiative and Nikam brought detonators, explosive, shrapnel, ammonium nitrate and other ingredients and made the bomb in a room at Sanatan’s hostel,’’ said an officer. One more person identified as Dave was present while the bomb was being made.
Another bomb was made at Dave’s residence in Ratnagiri. Nikam had taught Gadkari, Dave and three others how to make bombs. “The accused hatched the bomb blast conspiracy in the last week of January,’’ said an officer. Gadkari had kept some detonators and explosives at Nikam’s residence and asked him to destroy it after he was summoned for questioning.
“Nikam was arrested along with eight others for planting a bomb outside the door of one Ashok Chavan at Shanti Nagar Nachne in Ratnagiri. A Christian missionary, preaching to Chavan and Nikam, felt that Chavan would be converted. The police arrested all the nine accused but they were acquitted by the court on April 17 this year,’’ said the officer.
The bombs were manufactured just six to eight hours in advance from the time fixed on the timer.
“Gadkari had rode out on a motorcycle from the hostel to plant the bomb and its registration number was recorded at the hostel’s entry gate. The same motorcycle was parked at the Thane theatre’s parking lot and there also the number was registered. Gadkari left the parking lot after planting the bomb on June 4. On that day he rode around 150 km before returning,’’ added an officer.
mateen.hafeez@timesgroup.com
The Times of India, June 17, 2008
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