Public prosecutor names NIA officer who asked her to ‘go soft’

New Delhi, October 13

Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian has named the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer who she claimed asked her to “go soft” on the accused in the Malegon blasts of 2006.

In her affidavit, Salian accused Superintendent of Police Suhas Warkel of pressure her into not making a strong case for the conviction of those suspected of being involved in the bombing

"...I am disclosing the name of the NIA officer who had tried to interfere with the delivery of administration of justice, as a messenger. His name is Shri Subas Warke, SP NIA, Mumbai Branch."

Salian claimed the officer later came to her saying he had instructions from his superior officers to replace her in the case. Salian’s affidavit was in response to a criminal petition filed against the NIA in the Bombay High Court.

Suhas Mushukar Warke is an officer from the Maharashtra cadre who has been on central deputation with the NIA since December 2012.

NIA Director General Sharad Kumar said the agency has already filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court, refusing to make any further comments.

In June, Salian had claimed an NIA officer met her in 2014 to demand she not make a strong case against the suspects in the case.

NIA issued a two-page clarification denying such claims, but confirmed Salian was mong the three Special Public Prosecutors it denotified.

Three low intensity blasts ripped through a mosque after Friday prayers in Malegaon on September 8, 2006, killing 31 people and injuring 312. Twelve people associated with right-wing Hindu groups — including key suspects Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit — were arrested. Four of the 12 are currently out on bail. — PTI