Ban on 'Sanathan Sanstha' still pending

Hindu right wing outfit Sanathan Sanstha, suspected of being involved in the Diwali eve blast in Goa, might have faced a ban if the Maharashtra government had acted on a proposal forwarded by the Anti-Terrorism Squad last year.

Hindu right wing outfit Sanathan Sanstha, suspected of being involved in the Diwali eve blast in Goa, might have faced a ban if the Maharashtra government had acted on a proposal forwarded by the Anti-Terrorism Squad last year.

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A proposal to ban the Sanstha is pending with the Maharashtra government since last year, a top ATS officer said today.

After a blast at Gadkari Rangayatan in nearby Thane in June 2008, investigations had pointed fingers at the Sanstha and the then ATS chief Hemant Karkare had sent a proposal to the state home ministry seeking ban on the organisation.

"ATS had forwarded the proposal to the government but I am not aware of its status," said ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi.

Karkare had forwarded the proposal some time before he was gunned down by terrorists in 26/11 terror attacks.

To proscribe an organisation, the state government has to forward its proposal to the centre which takes a call after considering the recommendations. This had not been done, official sources said.