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NIA to take over ‘terror plot’ probe
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is taking over the investigation of an alleged terror plot case from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism squad.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated process to take over the investigation in the alleged terror plot case currently probed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), said officials.
The ATS officials on Monday confirmed that the process to take over the Pune case originally registered at Kothrud police station by the NIA has been initiated and soon all five accused — Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki hailing from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh (MP), Kadir Dastagir Pathan arrested from Gondia, SN Kazi held from Ratnagiri, and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala — will be handed over to central agency.
A senior Maharashtra ATS officer said, “Notification related to the case was issued by the government last week and, accordingly, on Monday the NIA officials approached the court in Pune to initiate the process. After the requisite procedure, we will hand over all accused in the case to the NIA.”
The ATS had previously claimed that of the five suspects it has arrested so far, two were planning to carry out “terror activities” in different parts of the country.
Khan and Saki were arrested during routine patrolling from Kothrud area in Pune while both were trying to steal a bike on July 18. Their accomplice identified as Mohammed Shahnawaz Shafiurrehman Alam fled when the police reached their flat in Kondhwa for house search.
The case was transferred to the ATS on July 24 after being found that both the accused were wanted by the NIA in a Rajasthan terror module case while investigation.
