Ajmer blast convict on bail gets grand welcome in Guj hometown

A convict in the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case, in which three people were killed, was accorded a hero's welcome here Sunday by local people and members of the VHP, RSS and BJP, after he was released on bail.

The convict, Bhavesh Patel, who had been awarded life imprisonment by a trial court in Ajmer dargah blast case, was granted bail by Rajasthan High Court last week.

Relatives of Patel, who was dressed in saffron robes and a turban, revealed to some of those present during the welcome ceremony that during his jail stay he became a monk and changed his name to Swami Muktanand.

As he arrived in his hometown of Bharuch from Ajmer, members of the saffron outfits as well as of the BJP-ruled Bharuch Municipality along with public accorded him a warm welcome.

On reaching Bharuch, Patel first visited the Swaminarayan temple in Dandiya bazar area.

On his way home from the temple, hundreds of people stood there to welcome him. As he walked towards his residence, people apparently showered rose petals, garlanded him and shouted slogans in his support, while he walked towards his residence with his hands folded in prayer as his supporters surrounded him.

"VHP, RSS and BJP members along with hundreds of people welcomed him as he walked towards his residence at Hathikhana Bazar from nearby Swaminarayan temple, where he went to offer prayers after his arrival here," Viral Desai, spokesperson of south Gujarat unit of the VHP, said.

"Only after he came here that we learnt that he has already become a monk of an akhada, and has changed his name to Swami Muktanand. When he went to jail he was like any another common man," Desai further said.

Bharuch BJP councillor Marutisinh Atodariya said, "A large number of members of the municipality were present to welcome him."