Malegaon case: Congress wants SC-monitored probe

New Delhi, May 15: Congress on Sunday, (May 15) said the fresh chargesheet filed by NIA in the 2008 Malegaon blast case has put a question mark on India's commitment to fight terror and demanded that the probe should be monitored by the Supreme Court.

The opposition party asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to uphold his Constitutional oath by letting the Supreme Court monitor the case.

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 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.

PTI