Ex-ATS chief exposes political meddling in Maharashtra's high-profile cases
Former Maharashtra ATS chief K.P. Raghuvanshi has accused the UPA government of political interference in high-profile cases. His claims focus on pressure to arrest Hindutva leaders, including Shiv Sena's Bal Thackeray and RSS functionary Indresh Kumar. The retired IPS officer, now heading ethics for Rajasthan Royals, detailed how senior politicians allegedly influenced investigations during his tenure.
Raghuvanshi's troubles began in 2010 when he refused to arrest Indresh Kumar in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. A senior Congress minister then orchestrated his removal from the ATS, citing false allegations of media leaks. Earlier, as ATS chief, he had even invited Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, another Malegaon accused, to train officers.
Years before, in the 1993 Mumbai riots case, Raghuvanshi faced similar pressure. Then-Home Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh—under directives from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi—pushed for Bal Thackeray's arrest. The Srikrishna Commission later held Thackeray responsible for inciting violence, with witnesses testifying to his inflammatory speeches urging Hindu retaliation against Muslims.
Despite his controversial stances, Raghuvanshi built a strong policing record. He raised the C-60 commando unit in Gadchiroli to combat Naxal threats and led key agencies like the Maharashtra ATS, STF, and Thane Police. His retirement in 2015 as Maharashtra Security Force DG marked the end of a career marred by political clashes.
Raghuvanshi's allegations highlight long-standing tensions between law enforcement and political influence in Maharashtra. His refusal to arrest Thackeray and Kumar led to his sidelining, while his policing legacy includes elite anti-terror and anti-Naxal units. The claims resurface debates over institutional independence in sensitive cases.
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