Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has demanded a thorough investigation into the claim that former Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare was killed by a police official close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during the 26/11 terrorist attacks, rather than by terrorists. This allegation was made by another Congress leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, and is based on information presented in a book by former Inspector General of Police SM Mushrif.
Tharoor emphasized the importance of investigating such a serious matter to ensure transparency and accountability. He stated that the nation has a right to know the truth about such an important event. He also criticized the then-prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, for propagating an unsubstantiated claim that the terrorist involved in the attacks was served biryani in prison, highlighting Nikam’s potential political bias.
Wadettiwar’s initial statement sparked controversy, but he later clarified that he was merely relaying information from Mushrif’s book. Hemant Karkare, a respected police officer, was killed in action during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra in 2009. The allegations surrounding his death have raised questions about the true nature of the incident and the need for a comprehensive investigation.
