States make a beeline to question Bhatkal, Haddi

Though, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is yet to conclude interrogating alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) top operative Yasin Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, anti-terrorism squads (ATS) of four states have already moved applications before the special court seeking their custody.

Though, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is yet to conclude interrogating alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) top operative Yasin Bhatkal and his associate Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, anti-terrorism squads (ATS) of four states have already moved applications before the special court seeking their custody.

“Let the NIA finish its interrogation first, then it should be our turn to question them,” said an official of a state police requesting anonymity.

On Tuesday, when the special court here remanded Bhatkal and Akhtar to further custody of the NIA, the judge recorded in his order that the Delhi police and Bangalore police have moved applications for seeking their custody. The judge kept the applications on record and allowed the NIA further custody of both the terrorists. During the last hearing on September 10, two applications were moved on behalf of inspector PG Wagela of Gujarat police and ACP Mangesh Pote of ATS, Mumbai seeking custody of the alleged IM operatives. Besides these four, there are at least half a dozen other states who have expressed their intention to seek custody of Bhatkal and Akhtar.

Counter terror officials say Yasin is a prized catch and he has knowledge of IM’s future plans.