Cong alleges UP govt hand in Anant's kidnapping

Lucknow, Nov 18 (UNI) After Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police having come under fire over 'its role' in Anant kidnapping case, the Congress today alleged the role of the state government in the case.

''Circumstantial evidence prove the state government'S hand behind the high-profile abduction of Adobe (India) CEO Naresh Gupta's three-year-old son Anant in Noida on November 13,'' state Congress president Salman Khurshid said here.

The STF, which untiredly patted its back following recovery of Anant from the clutches of abductors yesterday, was on the retreat few hours after IG, STF Jagmohan Yadav denied any ransom was paid.

Senior STF officials have gone non-committal after the ransom money was recovered and AN announcement made by IG, Meerut (Zone).

Mr Khurshid minced no words flaying the statement of Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh that the Anant kidnapping case was not related to law and order.

''The statement of Mr Singh is ample evidence to prove the hand of the state government in the crime,'' he said.

The Congress leader maintained either ways, police was trying to hush up the crime and was issuing contradictory statements, which indicated 'political' involvement in the abduction.

''Congress is happy that Anant was released safe and healthy after almost five days in captivity, but the party is sure that some big fish is involved in the crime,'' he asserted.

The Congress leader also raised queries on how Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was so confident that Anant would be recovered soon, while the police stated it was still clueless.

There was an aura of relief after his release, although the atmosphere was rife with speculation of ransom theory. It was until 2000 hrs when the IG, STF decided to go on record categorically denying ransom was paid. He went a step further saying the crime had no involvement of any politician.

It was just a matter of a couple of hours, when he was proved wrong and Rs 50 lakh of ransom money had been recovered. It was a clear reflection on the role of the STF.

UNI SB/MB VS PA HS1937