Stepping up attack, Congress on Sunday alleged ‘direct interference’ of PMO in the ‘sudden reversal’ of NIA’s stand in the 2008 Malegaon blast case and pressed for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into it while apprehending that Samjhauta Express blast case may also meet the same fate.
The NIA (National Investigation Agency) has become ‘Namo Investigation Agency’, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said at a press conference here while contending that the chargesheet appears to be aimed at “decimating and demolishing” the “meticulous” probe conducted by Maharashtra ATS led by late Hemant Karkare.
He 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 MCOCA and other offences.
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.
“There was direct interference from the PMO...from his (PM’s) office, I have said it earlier and everything is being proved, a dirty tricks department is being run. This government is centrally co-ordinated,” Sharma said.
Elaborating, he said Col P S Purohit, an accused in the blast case, had allegedly written a letter to NSA Ajit Doval on January 6 and on January 8, it reached the Home Ministry and on January 9, the Home Ministry “started working” on it.
“...I have not seen such speed in movement of even files in the government,” the Congress leader said.
“Our demand is clear. We insist the Prime Minister that his office, when he takes oath, he doesn’t belong to a particular party, ideology, but the Prime Minister of India and should discharge duties in line with the oath,” he said.
While pressing for Supreme Court-monitored probe, Sharma said the apex court should take “seize” all the papers relating the case, relating the probe, confessional statements, charge sheet and the correspondence among government, NIA, attorney general, NIA and Home Ministry, among Home Ministry, Home secretary and PMO.
“There is rule of law in the country and law doesn’t discriminate. If this permission is given, like I said, then we ourselves are weakening India’s case against terrorism.
Because, dropping MACOCA means, the recorded statements which courts accept as evidences, will be useless now,” he said.
“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.
While demanding PM’s intervention in the case, Sharma questioned whether, with the fresh NIA stance, the government was “negating” Karkare’s “sacrifice for the country” by calling it as “dubious”.
BJP rejects Congress charge
BJP on Sunday rejected Congress charge of “direct interference” by PMO to ensure “reversal” of NIA stand in Malegaon case, insisting that discharge of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and others had occurred in accordance with laws.
The ruling party also took a swipe at Congress over its demand for a Supreme Court-monitored probe and said during the UPA rule, “no evidence” could be collected in the case that dragged on for years.
The charges were dropped in accordance with the laws, party national secretary Shrikant Sharma said about the NIA giving a clean chit to Pragya and removing charges under MCOCA against another key accused Colonel P S Purohit. “The case had dragged on for years in court when the UPA was in power but no evidence was produced. Now Congress is questioning the entire legal process. It should not give colour to terrorism and politicise the issue,” he said.