New Delhi: Questioning National Investigation Agency's move to drop charges against Malegaon blast accused, Congress today demanded a Supreme Court monitored probe into the case.
Training guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said "The NIA (National Investigation Agency) has become ‘Namo Investigation Agency'."
Demanding a Supreme court monitored probe at a press conference in the capital today, Sharma contended that the chargesheet appears to be aimed at “decimating and demolishing” the “meticulous” probe conducted by Mumbai ATS led by late Hemant Karkare.
He claimed the agency dropped MACOCA charges to see that all the statements recorded by the ATS become inadmissible as evidence.
Sharma demanded Supreme Court-monitored probe in the “sudden reversal” of the stance that has led to exoneration of six accused including Sadhvi Pragya and “dilution” of the case against the remaining accused on account of withdrawal of MACOCA and other offences.
“The developments have raised question mark on the integrity of India and its commitment to fight the forces of terror, having taken this position that India is a victim of organised terrorism, the targeted victim over decades, India is determined to fight terrorism, we condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestation,” the former minister said.
Sharma questioned the government whether, with the fresh NIA stance, it is “negating” Karkare’s “sacrifice”. He demanded that Modi himself should intervene in the matter.
He accused the government of “consistently” trying to save those who follow their ideology or belong to their associated outfits and are faced with charges.
“it goes on to show that the earlier probes, charges which were filed and arrests made were all wrong. The fact is, the steps were taken only after proper probe. We have always maintained that, with lot of seriousness, that terrorism and crime have no caste and religion,” he added.
(with PTI inputs)
