Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai, Nov 21: In a major twist in the ongoing Malegaon blast probe, the Maharashtra ATS sources have confirmed to Zeenews that members of Abhinav Bharat had planned to kill prominent RSS leaders for not doing much for the Hindutva cause.

The revelation is sure to send shock waves across the pro-Hindutva lobby including the Bhartiya Janata Party, which has so far vociferously supported all those who have come under the scanner in relation with the Malegaon blast case.

As per the ATS report that appeared in the media, ATS investigations had brought to light the sinister plans of the rightwing organisation. Members of Abhinav Bharat – Dayanand Pandey, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, S Apte and Lt Col Prasad Purohit - were planning to kill RSS general secretary Mohan Bhagwat and Rashtriya Muslim Manch’s (RSS outfit) senior leader Indraeesh.

The report was prepared by the state Home Department which shared it with Union Home Ministry in addition with central intelligence agencies.

The plot was unravelled after data from Dayanand Pandey’s laptop was retrieved by ATS after detailed forensic examination.

As per the report, the blueprint of the plot is supposed to have been prepared by the 70-year-old RSS worker from Pune S Apte, who was discontented with the functioning of RSS.

He was later also joined by retired Major Ramesh Pandey – referred to as ‘Dr Singh’ - who also shared a similar opinion about RSS. Incidentally, Pandey is also a prominent New Delhi based doctor.

According to the ATS, both Pandey and Apte approached Lt Col Prasad Purohit seeking his help in executing their plan. As per the ATS, Apte paid Rs 10 lakh to Purohit for the favour.

In August, when the group came to knew about Indraneesh and Bhagwat’s Pune visit, Apte did a reckee of various spots in Pune, where the duo could be targeted.

Investigations further show that Pandey had even arranged a 9mm foreign made pistol, which was later delivered to one of his close associate in Faridabad.