Faridabad Police forms SIT to probe Al Falah University's activities
Faridabad (PTI): While multiple agencies are currently probing the car blast in Delhi and the recently busted white collar terror module spread across at least three states, Faridabad Police has formed a separate Special Investigation Team to look into the activities of Al Falah University, several of whose doctors were arrested in connection with the high profile case.
Meanwhile, investigating agencies have detained a cab driver, a cleric and an Urdu teacher for questioning, according to sources.
The SIT, which consists of two assistant commissioners of police, an inspector, and two sub-inspectors, is preparing a comprehensive report on the university's activities.
"An SIT has been formed to investigate the affairs at Al Falah University in Faridabad. All aspects will be looked into," said a Faridabad Police spokesperson.
Faridabad Commissioner of Police Satender Kumar Gupta has instructed the SIT to investigate how the university has become a hotbed of terrorism. The SIT members were told to gather detailed information about the terror module's funding and the trail of explosives. Reports are also being prepared on the role of residents of nearby villages in the terror module.
Police sources said the SIT was formed after Director General of Police O P Singh, who visited the Al Falah University on Tuesday, said that the commissioner and deputy commissioner of police should personally visit the place and that the administration should lead from front.
The biggest question before the police is how the terrorists managed to use the university as their base for so many years and how they remained undetected. An investigation has started in this direction, sources said.
Meanwhile, the investigating agencies detained a cab driver from Dhauj village last night.
According to sources, officers recovered from the driver's house a grinding machine and another electric device, which were kept in his custody by Dr Muzammil Ganaie, one of the arrested Al Falah University doctors and a prime suspect in the terror module case.
They added that Dr Ganaie had provided SIM cards to some students and other associates through the cab driver.
According to sources, the cab driver is a native of Asaoti village in Palwal district, who has been residing at Billa colony in Dhauj village. He had met Dr Ganaie at the Al Falah University's hospital when he brought his son for treatment after the child suffered burn injuries when hot milk spilled on him. Dr Ganaie provided significant assistance to the cab driver, they said.
Meanwhile, the agencies also detained a cleric and an Urdu teacher, both of them residents of Ghasera village in Nuh district.
Sources said they were picked up from the Shahi Jama Masjid in Raipur village near Sohna.
Investigation has revealed that Dr Umar Nabi, the suicide bomber behind the November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort, often visited this mosque to offer prayers. The police are also trying to establish if any kind of meeting or conversation had taken place in the mosque in Dr Umar's presence, officials said.
However, the cleric's family members have denied that he has any involvement in the case. The Shahi Jama Masjid is located on the highway and hence, people from anywhere in the country could come there to offer prayers, they said.
Meanwhile, parents of Al Falah University students are said to have planned to stage a protest outside the university on Saturday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
