Goa cops bypass NIA in blast probe

Goa cops bypass NIA in blast probePanaji, Dec 7 : Goa police has been pulled up for not sending details of the Diwali-eve bomb blast investigations to the National Investigating Agency (NIA), set up in
2008 to investigate terror-related crimes in the country.

State chief secretary Sanjiv Srivastava admitted that the Goa police had bypassed the NIA and sent updates of the Oct 16 investigations to officials in the ministry of home affairs.

"NIA rules clearly say that whenever such a case occurs they should be informed," Srivastava told reporters Monday.

"The NIA has now asked the Goa police to send them a detailed report on the investigations," he said.

The NIA had sought complete details of the police investigation of the blasts carried out by members of the Hindu rightwing group Sanatan Sanstha (SS) -- two members of the group died when the detonator-rigged gelatine sticks they were carrying exploded accidentally.

"They have sought the complete list of evidence seized and attached during the investigation, all the statements recorded as part of the investigations and the current status of the probe," a deputy superintendent of police attached to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) told IANS.

The state home department is expected to issue a show cause notice to the director general of police for violation of procedure in such a sensitive terror-related case.(IANS)