Author: PTI
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: November 17, 2008
URL: http://dailypioneer.com/135038/Congress-pressurising-ATS-probe-BJP.html
Taking a critical view of "selective
leaks" by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad probing the Malegaon blast
in which some Hindu religious leaders and an army official are suspects, BJP
on Monday accused the Congress Government in that State of "pressurising
and directing" the investigation.
"The BJP charges the Congress Government
in Maharashtra with pressurising, directing and misusing the ATS probe for
its selfish political benefit ... Congress is speaking more than the ATS.
And why the selective leaks?" BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar asked
at a press conference here.
The BJP MP, however, said that the ATS was
not at fault and should continue to be entrusted with the probe. "The
investigation should not be given to the CBI," Javadekar said.
The saffron party alleged that the Congress
Government had forced ATS to close down inquiry into the serial train blasts
in Mumbai on the request of some leaders who felt the sentiments of a religious
community would be hurt.
"The State Government never allowed the
ATS to conduct any scientific tests like narco analysis, polygraph tests on
any of the suspects in that instance," Javadekar said.
"Similarly, the earlier 2006 Malegaon
blasts case was handed over to CBI only for political benefits," he said.
The BJP spokesperson said that the Congress
must realise that terror incidents can be solved "not through propaganda"
but only through hard evidence and non-politicised investigations. He reiterated
the BJP stand that a terrorist has no religion and the term "Hindu terrorist"
should not be used.
