'NIA must probe Tawade's role in 2009 Margao blasts'

Panaji: In light of the discovery that Dr

Virendra Tawde

was in touch with those involved in the 2009

Margao

bomb blast, BJP MLA and deputy speaker Vishnu Surya

Wagh

on Wednesday suggested that the national investigation agency (NIA) could also investigate Tawde’s role in the Margao bomb blast. While speaking to TOI, Wagh also raised suspicions over the Sanatan Sanstha’s operations, but stopped short of calling for an outright ban on the outfit. “Now that the CBI has arrested Dr Virendra Tawde, an activist of Sanatan Sanstha, the Goa Police must persuade the National Investigation Agency to probe his involvement in the Margao blast case that occurred in October 2009,” Wagh said in a Facebook post. Wagh pointed out that the central bureau of investigation (CBI) has claimed that

Tawde

was close to Sarang Akolkar, Rudra

Patil

and the late Malgonda Patil, who are supposed to have a hand in the blast that claimed the lives of two members of the outfit - Malgonda and

Yogesh Naik

from Talauli, Ponda. The blast occurred while they were transporting the explosive material hidden in their scooter. “The investigation has been done halfway. The state government must not ignore CBI findings that show that on the day of the blast itself Tawde was in touch with Malgonda. I will of course meet the chief minister and ask him (to persuade NIA to investigate the Margao blast),” Wagh said. Asked whether there were sufficient grounds for the Sanatan Sanstha to be banned, Wagh replied, “Let the CBI come out with evidence then maybe a ban can be discussed. First it must be probed to see if the sadaks were operating as individuals or at the behest of a group, if it was at the behest of a group, then action needs to be taken.” “The CBI has deciphered Tawde's

CDR

on October 16, the very day Madgao (sic) witnessed the blasts on Narakasur night. There were 25 incoming, 18 outgoing calls and one sms to Malgonda Patil. The last call made to Patil was at 4pm. The blast took place after 8.30pm. The CBI officials have expressed surprise as to why Tawde was not interrogated by the Goa police and the NIA,” Wagh said in his post on Facebook. Wagh also called for a probe to see if controversial Sri Ram Sene and

Rashtriya Hindu Sena

leader Pramod

Muthalik

would be present in Goa for a Hindu conclave being organized this month. Wagh said that Muthalik had been listed as a delegate for a conference on Hindutva in the state and that Goa Police had to take cognizance of it.