How a budding wrestler became Hindu terrorist

Alleged Samjhauta train and Mecca Masjid bomber Rajendra Pehelwan alias Samandar first wanted to be a wrestler. That’s how Pehelwan got suffixed to his name. Rajesh Ahuja reports.

Alleged Samjhauta train and Mecca Masjid bomber Rajendra Pehelwan alias Samandar first wanted to be a wrestler. That’s how Pehelwan got suffixed to his name.

HT Image

The next aim was to qualify for MP civil services exams. But he ended up getting involved with the gang of right-wing extremists that carried out bomb blasts in mosques and places frequented by Muslims in retaliation to jehadi terrorism in the country.

“In the initial interrogation, Samandar claimed that he cleared preliminary examination of Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission but could go further. He failed to clear the next — mains — level of exam. His claim is being verified. Before attempting to become a civil servant, sports was another arena he was interested in. He claims to have competed at national level in wrestling at junior level. But again we need to check it,” a home ministry official said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/Popup/2012/12/18_12_pg8b.jpg

Samandar was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday in Ujjain district where he was living in hiding for last few years.

Out of the four alleged Samjhauta bombers, only Amit is yet to be arrested. Kamal Chauhan and Lokesh Sharma have already been chargesheeted in the case and they are in judicial custody. Samandar is in NIA’s custody till December 29.

“Samandar had known Lokesh and that’s how he became part of the gang of right-wing extremist led by Sunil Joshi, an RSS prachark who was killed in December 2007,” said a source.