By M M Desk
New Delhi : At a time when speculations are rife that government is trying to pressure central agencies like National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Bureau of Investigation to go soft on cases related to Hindutva terror, it has been learnt that N. Harinath, the special prosecutor in the Mecca Masjid blast case was associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
According to a report by NDTV, Harinath had little experience in criminal law. However, he insisted that he was qualified to fight the case. Other special prosecutors, on the other hand, are of the opinion that knowledge of a murder trial is a prerequisite in terror investigations such as the Mecca Masjid blast one.
However in an interview to Indian Express Harinath said “When I was pursuing my second year in law, I joined ABVP, but have never been associated with the BJP.” He said that since then, he has continued to donate to and help the RSS-linked body to organise events.”
On Monday, a special NIA court in Hyderabad acquitted the five Hindutva activists accused in the 2007 bombing which left nine dead and nearly 60 severely injured. Barely hours after the verdict, K. Ravinder Reddy had tendered his resignation citing “personal” reasons.
The NIA had pursued investigations against the accused for more than seven years – after taking over the case from the CBI. N. Harinath was appointed as NIA prosecutor when the trial began in 2015. A lawyer for the economic offences wing of the Enforcement Directorate in the past, Harinath represented the CBI in bank fraud, attempt to murder and abetment to suicide cases.