NIA takes over probe in Murshidabad blast

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 2

The anti-terror probe agency NIA on Tuesday said it had registered a case to investigate a recent bomb explosion at a railway station in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district in which 22 people, including TMC leader Jakir Hossain were injured.

According to officials in the NIA, the case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosive Substances Act at the Azimganj GRP police station in Murshidabad district on the basis of a statement by an eyewitness.

The incident happened on February 17 when an explosion took place at Nimita railway station, leaving 22 people injured.

The NIA took up the investigation in the case following an order issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has decided on its own to hand over the probe to the federal anti-terror probe agency. Under the NIA Act, the Centre can take over probes from any state in a terror case.

The NIA, however, has not yet invoked any terror charge, but if during the investigation, the role of any terrorist or terror organisation surfaces, the relevant sections will be added, sources said.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said the blast was part of a conspiracy to force Hossain to leave TMC.

NIA officials said the agency would write to West Bengal to hand over the case files, evidence collected as well as custody of two persons arrested so far in connection with the attack. A team of the agency is likely to visit the blast site soon.