Central Intelligence agencies have also started questioning Ramesh Vashni and Harshad Solanki, arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Rajasthan, in connection with Ajmer blast. The names of the duo had allegedly figured in the 2002 Best Bakery riot case in Vadodara also.
According to sources, certain prominent leaders of the right-wing outfits of Gujarat are likely to be questioned by the probe agencies. There are reports that both the accused were in constant touch with certain leaders of the right-wing outfits during the Gujarat riots, sources added. “Sleuths of the Central agencies in association with the Rajasthan ATS are preparing a list of those leaders of the right-wing outfit who were in touch with them before and after the blast and also during Gujarat riots,” sources said. Besides, a separate list of leaders is also being prepared by the agencies who had recently contacted the duo, sources added.
Sources further said, “There are also reports that leaders of the right-wing outfits of other states had also contacted the duo after the Ajmer blast. A team of officials belonging to central agencies and the Rajasthan ATS is likely to visit Madhya Prdaesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra in this connection.”
Interrogation of the duo is likely to provide leads regarding the whereabouts of those who are absconding in connection with Ajmer, Mecca Masjid and Malegaon blasts, sources added.
“Probe agencies, including ATS of different states, have also intensified the man hunt to arrest five absconding persons wanted in Ajmer, Mecca Masjid and Malegaon blasts. The persons, who are suspected to be involved in these three blasts are Ramchandra Salnaskar, Sandeep Dange, Pranav Nath Mandal, Anand Raj Katariya and Dharmendra Baragi,” sources said.
The CBI has already announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh each on providing information leading to the arrest of Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra Kalsangra in connection with the investigation into Mecca Masjid blast case 2007. Besides, interrogation of absconding Asimanad is equally important to understand the links between Ajmer, Mecca and Malegaon blasts, sources said, adding that Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh police have been asked to intensify their manhunt to nab the Swami.