Pragya, five others sent to judicial custody

MUMBAI: Amidst high drama marked by accusations of torture and mental harassment against the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), punctuated by a brief halt in the proceedings, six of the 10 accused in the Sep 29 Malegaon blasts were Monday evening remanded in judicial custody till Dec 3.

Six of the 10 accused were presented before the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) special judge by the ATS, seeking their remand but the plea was turned down.

Shortly after the proceedings started, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur alleged that the ATS officials threatened to disrobe her if she refused to co-operate them in the probe. She also accused the ATS of ill-treatment, assault, denial of food on Diwali and of being forced to hear an obscene CD.

Similarly, serving Indian Army officer Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit also alleged that ATS officials threatened to his wife with dire consequences and had said RDX would be planted in his home to frame him.

Retired army officer Maj. Ramesh Upadhyay also alleged beating, torture and harassment by the ATS officers.

The others who were presented before the court were Ajay Rahirkar, Shyam Sahu and Sameer Kulkarni.

The procecution lawyers strongly refuted the allegations made by the accused.