State govt. not opposed to CBI probe into Malegaon blast: Patil

Nagpur, Dec 14 (UNI) The Maharashtra government is not opposed to an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the bomb blasts in Malegaon and Marathwada, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who also holds the home portfolio, told the state Legislative Assembly today.

A decision in this regard would be made within a week, Mr Patil assured the House after Nawab Malik (NCP) raised the issue through a special mention.

Mr Patil said the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) was probing the Malegaon blasts at present, but the state government would consider all options to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.

The charge-sheet in the July 11 bomb blasts in local trains in Mumbai had been filed, he pointed out. It would, therefore, tantamount to lack of confidence in the investigations by the state's own police force if a probe by another agency was considered at this stage, he said.

However, not satisfied with the assurance, several members from the ruling benches, including Mr Malik, Bashir Patel, Sachin Ahir (both NCP), Naseem Khan and Bhai Jagtap (both Congress), went up to the Speaker's podium to reiterate their demand. Some members from the opposition benches also raised slogans.

The agitated members from the treasury benches returned to their seats when Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende, who was in the chair at the time, said that their feelings would be conveyed to the government.

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