Probe into terror suspect allegedly using mobile phone at prison should be handed to NIA: BJP leader
Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka on Tuesday demanded that the case concerning a terror suspect allegedly using a mobile phone in the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail here be handed over to the NIA for a detailed probe.
The BJP leader said an investigation needs to be done to find out as to with whom the terror suspect was in contact over the phone.
He also expressed suspicion about any links between the terror suspect and those connected to the blast near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday, that left 12 people dead.
Recently, there was a row over videos purportedly showing inmates, including notorious criminals and a terror suspect enjoying preferential treatment inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru.
The videos that had emerged last week allegedly showed notorious criminals, including serial rapist Umesh Reddy and a terror suspect who is said to be -- Juhad Hameed Shakeel Manna, using smartphones, as part of the alleged preferential treatment they enjoyed inside the high-security prison.
"There is suspicion that the incident in Delhi was a terrorist act. It is yet to be confirmed and central probe agencies have arrested some people in connection with the incident. At the same time, an incident has come to light where a terror suspect used a mobile phone in Parappana Agrahara jail," Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "It needs to be probed whether the terror suspect at the Parappana Agrahara prison has any links with the perpetrators behind the blast in Delhi. Was he in any way directly or indirectly involved? This is very important. The investigation has to be done in this angle too. For the probe in this angle, the investigation should be given to the National Investigation Agency."
"With whom was he talking over the phone? Who supplied him the phone? Who is behind it? All of this has to come out. This is an act of treason and a matter concerning national security," Ashoka said, expressing suspicion.
Noting that doctors and other highly educated people are indulging in terror activities, the BJP leader, pointing at the Delhi blast, incident said they are "high-tech terrorists", and there is need to be more vigilant about them.
Appeasement of a particular community by the Congress is the reason for all of this, he alleged.
The blast took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing 12 people and gutting several vehicles, officials said.
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Rupee falls 9 paise to all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): Rupee depreciated 9 paise to an all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade on Monday, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows.
Forex traders said rupee is trading with a negative bias as investors are in wait and watch mode and awaiting cues from the India-US trade deal front.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.53 against the US dollar, then fell further to an all-time intraday low of 90.58 against the greenback, registering a fall of 9 paise over its previous close.
On Friday, the rupee had slipped 17 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.49 against the American currency.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.05 per cent lower at 98.35.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.52 per cent at USD 61.44 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading 298.86 points lower at 84,968.80, while the Nifty was down 121.40 points at 25,925.55.
Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 1,114.22 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue to be in selling mode in equity and debt while RBI has been selling dollars to fund their long positions," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
