New Delhi, July 19: Five days after the Mumbai serial blasts, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which was asked to assist the Mumbai Police in the probe, is learnt to have pulled out from the investigations owing to “lack of coordination”, reports Indian Express.
Most members of the NIA team who were rushed to Mumbai after the blasts are back in Delhi, including Director General S C Sinha.
Sources in the Union Home Ministry said the case would not be transferred to NIA now.
Formed after the Mumbai 26/11 attack, this was the first time the NIA team was assisting state police in the probe since the beginning of a case. However, the problem apparently cropped up after the Anti Terrorism Squad of Mumbai Police took over.
The NIA team was facing problem as far as coordination and sharing of information is concerned.
“We have visited the blasts sites and have also examined certain suspects. The CCTV footage has been shared with us but to narrow down suspects we need more help from the state police.”
While sources said the NIA team and ATS officials had verbal spats as the ATS complained that the NIA was not equipped to handle the case alone, Additional Director General of NIA Prakash Mishra denied any rift.“The team that went to Mumbai is back, but we are extending cooperation to the Mumbai ATS,” he said.
With the ATS allegedly refusing to share entire information, the agency has now been asked to gather intelligence of its own. It is also seeking help from the Intelligence Bureau, said sources.
