Purohit is a matter of concern: Antony

NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: Defence minister A K Antony said the alleged involvement of a serving Army officer in the Malegaon blast was a matter of serious concern. He said the ministry would take action against the official after the completion of the probe.

���This incident is a matter of serious concern for all of us. We are very determined to go to the root of the whole thing,��� Mr Antony told reporters. Evading a direct reply on the involvement of more serving officers, including one holding a senior rank, Mr Antony said the Army was fully assisting the investigation and so was the defence ministry. ���The Army is assisting and cooperating with investigating agencies.

We are waiting for a report from the Maharashtra police and I can tell you, we are taking the issue seriously,��� he said. The minister said both ATS and IB were part of the investigation process. The Maharashtra ATS had on November 4 arrested Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit for allegedly masterminding the Malegaon blasts after the Army gave its nod to detain him.

There are reports that more serving Army officers, including a senior-ranked officer, had prior knowledge of Purohit���s plans. Purohit, in the course of his interrogation by ATS, provided details of his involvement in the conspiracy behind the blasts, source of explosives used and training given by him to the other accused.

But it has not been established if he had sourced RDX from the Army for the Malegaon blasts. Forensic reports, too, are not clear on whether RDX was used at all. Purohit was first detained by ATS on October 29 and formally arrested only on Wednesday.

The trail led to the unveiling of the role of Hindu extremist outfit Abhinav Bharat founded in June 2006. Purohit was the key man behind Abhinav Bharat, building its cadre by drawing ���extremist elements��� belonging to the Hindu community.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Friday said that several important questions were staring the BJP in the face in the wake of Purohit���s arrest. The party also asked the BJP to clarify whether retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, another accused in the Malegaon blast case was part of the BJP���s ex-servicemen cell. ���That persons like Purohit or Upadhyay represent a rare aberration is not because of the BJP, but in spite of the BJP,��� Mr Singhvi said.

���This incident is a matter of serious concern for all of us. We are very determined to go to the root of the whole thing,��� Mr Antony told reporters. Evading a direct reply on the involvement of more serving officers, including one holding a senior rank, Mr Antony said the Army was fully assisting the investigation and so was the defence ministry. ���The Army is assisting and cooperating with investigating agencies.

We are waiting for a report from the Maharashtra police and I can tell you, we are taking the issue seriously,��� he said. The minister said both ATS and IB were part of the investigation process. The Maharashtra ATS had on November 4 arrested Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit for allegedly masterminding the Malegaon blasts after the Army gave its nod to detain him.

There are reports that more serving Army officers, including a senior-ranked officer, had prior knowledge of Purohit���s plans. Purohit, in the course of his interrogation by ATS, provided details of his involvement in the conspiracy behind the blasts, source of explosives used and training given by him to the other accused.

But it has not been established if he had sourced RDX from the Army for the Malegaon blasts. Forensic reports, too, are not clear on whether RDX was used at all. Purohit was first detained by ATS on October 29 and formally arrested only on Wednesday.

The trail led to the unveiling of the role of Hindu extremist outfit Abhinav Bharat founded in June 2006. Purohit was the key man behind Abhinav Bharat, building its cadre by drawing ���extremist elements��� belonging to the Hindu community.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Friday said that several important questions were staring the BJP in the face in the wake of Purohit���s arrest. The party also asked the BJP to clarify whether retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, another accused in the Malegaon blast case was part of the BJP���s ex-servicemen cell. ���That persons like Purohit or Upadhyay represent a rare aberration is not because of the BJP, but in spite of the BJP,��� Mr Singhvi said.