Malegaon probe: Former Army Colonel being probed by ATS

A former Colonel is now being probed by the ATS for alleged links with the Malegaon blast prime accused Lt Col S P Purohit and may have extended help in training cadres of Abhinav Bharat, a little-known right wing group suspected to be involved in the conspiracy.

The Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) is investigating Col (retd) S S Raikar, who served as Commandant of Bhonsale Military School in Nashik after his premature retirement earlier in 2008. At the time of his retirement, he was with the Army Liaison Cell, a face of the Military Intelligence.

When contacted, an Army spokesperson in Delhi acknowledged that Raikar was under the ATS scanner.

It is “not considered appropriate to provide inputs on personnel who are currently being investigated by ATS,” Veerndra Singh, APRO (Army), said in a written response.