Now, Purohit linked to Thane blast accused

MUMBAI: The ATS on Monday established a link between arrested Lt-Col Srikant Prasad Purohit and Thane theatre blast accused Dr Hemant Chalke.

A homeopath by profession, Chalke was a sympathiser of Sanatan Sanstha and was arrested in June for doing the recce of Vashi���s Bhave theatre where a bomb was found on May 31 this year.

According to ATS sources, they got the link while making inquiries about the Sanatan Sanstha, a revivalist group run by Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.

Purohit is believed to have told cops that he knew Chalke and was in touch with him before the September 29 Malegaon blast.

The ATS may seek Chalke���s custody to question him in the Malegaon blast case. He is currently in Arthur Road jail. Purohit is accused of masterminding the blast and procuring arms and ammunition to fund his terror activities.

Purohit is also suspected to have imparted terror training to over youth in and around Maharashtra. Chalke and five others were arrested by the ATS for planting bombs in Thane���s Gadkari theatre, a vashi theatre and a cinema hall in Panvel.

They were protesting against the release of a Marathi play and alleged that Hindu God and Goddesses were shown in poor light. Chalke was accused of doing a recce to check at Vashi theatre and had even gone to purchase timers for the bomb. His two other accomplices were also involved in a bomb blast in Ratnagiri in 2006.