Investigators are zeroing in on politicians who allegedly helped Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad alias Pappu after his escape from the Batla House encounter, with the role of a former MLA from Uttar Pradesh, currently based in Noida, coming under close scrutiny, reports Times of India.
Investigations by Delhi Police crime branch following Shahzad's revelations have resulted in further clarity over those who assisted the IM terrorist with money after he evaded the police on September 19, 2008.
The ex-MLA who has since switched parties, allegedly gave him Rs 8,000, Shahzad has told sleuths.
Shahzad's shocking story also included references to the help he received from a former junior central minister from Bihar and a prominent Mumbai politician.
The Mumbai politician, sources said, also gave Shahzad Rs 10,000 through a go-between when he was on the run.
Shahzad has reportedly told cops that Junaid's relatives were in touch with the former central minister from Bihar, who said he could help if he and his partner Ariz or Junaid surrendered before a court or police.
‘‘The former MLA from UP who gave Rs 8,000 was the first person to help Junaid and Shahzad. Later, it was Junaid's uncle who approached the former Union minister and asked for help. We are corroborating his claims about the money and the channel through which he received this aid,'' said a senior police officer.
The police are not revealing identities of politicians involved but plan to summon the ex-MLA who allegedly helped Shahzad and Junaid soon after they fled the encounter scene.
With renewed calls for a ‘‘fair probe'' into the Batla House encounter after Congress leader Digvijay Singh's visit to Azamgarh, fresh protests broke out at the site of the shootout in Jamia Nagar. Agitators who gathered after Friday prayers raised slogans against cops and demanded a judicial inquiry into the 2008 encounter.
Shahzad Alam's startling disclosure that he was sheltered by a former Delhi MLA after fleeing from the Batla House encounter scene in September 2008 could make the ex-legislator face a minimum sentence of three years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
After the repeal of POTA to keep its election promise, UPA-I was in 2004 forced to make amendments to UAPA, 1967, and bring in specific provisions to deal with the growing shadow of terrorism on the country. Section 19 of the amended UAPA provides for a minimum punishment of three years, which could in serious cases be extended to life term, for those who harbour or help conceal a terrorist, even after knowing that the person harboured is a subversive element.
Meanwhile, Asif Mohammad Khan, the Rashtriya Janata Dal ( RJD) MLA from Okhla in south Delhi, on Friday denied any links with Shahzad Ahmed.
This comes a day after reports about Shahzad disclosing to investigating agencies that he was provided shelter and financial help by a former Delhi MLA. Khan said he would legally challenge the alleged claim of the Delhi Police in this regard.
Asif Mohammad Khan said the Batla House encounter was stage- managed. “ I believe that the encounter was fake and the officer died in police firing,” Khan said. The MLA said he didn't know Shahzad and the others said to be involved in the September 2008 Delhi serial blasts.
Khan was of the view that boys of the Jamia Nagar area had been framed by the police. “ I don't believe the police theory about the blast accused. All the youths are innocent and I stand by them,” Khan said. He added that he would provide financial assistance to the family members of the accused and also help them fight a legal battle.
