CBI quizzes RSS leader; conspiracy, says Kumar (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Thursday questioned Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar for more than five hours in connection with the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad that killed nine people.

Emerging out of the CBI office here, Kumar said: “I told them that to know the truth you have to investigate the case without any political pressure and conspiracy. Only then you will get my cooperation - which you already got earlier and will continue to do so in the future.”

The CBI summoned Kumar Tuesday after his name figured in the case though he is not named an accused. He had earlier told reporters that he had full faith in the country’s institutions and he would be “fully proved innocent”.

“The questioning was general and the relationship with Swami Aseemanand or the involvement in the Mecca Masjid blast did not form part of the questioning,” his lawyers told reporters here.

According to Kumar, the interrogation was a political conspiracy by the Congress party.

“I am not aware why they have called me. As a law abiding citizen, I have come here to answer whatever question they have,” he said before going in for questioning.

Kumar requested his friends and colleagues to protest against the questioning peacefully. “I am innocent and have full faith in the judiciary and the people of my country,” he added.

In 2007, a bomb blast inside Mecca Masjid claimed nine lives. Five more people died in police firing when protests were held immediately after the blasts.

Of the six accused, Jatin Chatterjee, also called Swami Aseemanand, was arrested near Haridwar by the CBI Nov 19 for his alleged involvement in the blast.

The CBI, however, has failed to trace the two prime accused in the case, Sandeep Sange and Ramchandra Kalsangra who are still untraced and on the run.

The investigative agency had in June announced a reward of Rs.10 lakh each for the arrest of the two accused, who hail from Indore in Madhya Pradesh.

Sunil Joshi, an RSS worker and among the accused, was killed by his colleagues as they were angry with his daily bullying and abuse, said Madhya Pradesh police Dec 18.

The CBI Dec 13 formally filed charges against two more accused in the case, Devendra Gupta and Lokesh Sharma who were members of the Hindu right-wing group, Abhinav Bharat.