CBI arrests RSS Chennai headquarter bombing key accused after 24 years of hunt

After a hunt of 24 years, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claims to have arrested the alleged key accused involved in the bombing of RSS Tamil Nadu headquarter in 1993 from Chennai outskirts on Friday.

The arrested person has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed. CBI said he is member of Ul-Ummah, a banned terrorist organisation based in Tamil Nadu.

CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said, “Ahmed was arrested on Friday morning from outskirts of Chennai. He had managed to evade arrest for 24 years.”

Members of Ul-Ummah had triggered a RDX bomb at the multi-storeyed RSS office at Chetput in Chennai on August 8, 1993. Eleven people were killed in the blast.

The agency has been in hunt for Ahmed, 56, after his name erupted in the case during their initial days of investigation. The CBI had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh on him.

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According to CBI, Ahmed had allegedly procured explosive materials for assembling bombs and provided shelter to other accused persons.

The investigative agency increased its pace to nab Ahmed after Chennai TADA court convicted and awarded life term to 11 persons. The court had earlier in 2007 had announced life term for three in 2007.

CBI was entrusted with the probe in 1993 and it filed charge sheet against 18 persons.

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After the trial in 2007, the special court had acquitted four persons, including SA Basha, founder of the banned al-Ummah for lack of evidence against them.