Author: Rahul Tripathi
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 6, 2010
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ex-MLA-gave-Delhi-bombers-Rs-8000-ex-minister-promised-help/articleshow/5540552.cms
Investigators are zeroing in on politicians
who helped Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad alias Pappu after his escape
from the Batla House encounter, with the role of a former MLA from Uttar Pradesh,
currently based in Noida, coming under close scrutiny.
Investigations by Delhi Police crime branch
following Shahzad's revelations have resulted in further clarity over those
who assisted the IM terrorist with money after he evaded the police on September
19, 2008. The ex-MLA allegedly gave him Rs 8,000, Shahzad has told sleuths.
TOI's front-page report dated February 4 had
revealed Shahzad's shocking story which also included references to the help
he recieved from a former junior central minister from Bihar and a prominent
Mumbai politician. While the Mumbai politician is also understood to have
offered monetary assistance, the former minister suggested that if Shahzad
and his partner Ariz or Junaid give themselves up, he could ``help'' them.
The Mumbai politician, sources said, also
gave Shahzad Rs 10,000 through a go-between when the Delhi blasts accused
was on the run. Shahzad has reportedly told cops that Junaid's relatives were
in touch with the former central minister from Bihar, who said he could help
if they surrendered before a court or police.
``The former MLA from UP who gave Rs 8,000
was the first person to help Junaid and Shahzad. Later, it was Junaid's uncle
who approached the former Union minister and asked for help. We are corroborating
his claims about the money and the channel through which he received this
financial help,'' said a senior police officer. The police is not revealing
identities of politicians involved but certainly plan to summon the ex-MLA
who allegedly helped Shahzad and Junaid soon after they fled the encounter
scene.
Top brass of Delhi Police is considering the
possibility of booking those who helped the terrorists. On Friday itself,
the Supreme Court held that a person helping or sheltering terrorist can face
between three years to a life term under the tough, amended Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act. The police are collecting evidence to support Shahzad's
claims that he had been in contact with and recieved help from politicians.
A report has been sent to the Home Ministry
regarding Shahzad's interrogation and the names he revealed during his questioning.
Given the sensitivity of the case, the Congress leadership is also understood
to be in the loop over the implications of the case. Sources confirmed that
a detailed report about the investigations had been sought from the crime
branch which is likely to update it again for submission on Saturday when
Shahzad's police remand expires.
Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat, reacting
to TOI report said, Shahzad took ``some names'' whom he claimed helped him
and the Crime Branch is investigating whether those mentioned by the accused
did so and in what circumstances. However, he refused to say whether the names
the IM man took were of politicians nor did he identify them. ``We have not
completed investigations in this regard,'' he said.
The police have been on the lookout for Shahzad
and Junaid ever since they escaped from Batla House, not only because the
shootout had resulted in the death of Inspector Mohan Sharma, a crack anti-terror
operative, but also as the two terrorists were integral to the 2008 Delhi
serial blasts and perhaps had links with IM-planned bombings in Jaipur and
Ahmedabad.
Shahzad went to the former UP MLA's residence
in Shaheen Bagh along with Junaid after the encounter. On Thursday, the police
were in some doubt whether the politician was an ex-MLA from Delhi. But this
has now been resolved. From Delhi, the IM men went to Aligarh and there on
to Lucknow where Junaid parted ways with Shahzad.
The arrested terrorist, meanwhile has done
a ``positive'' identification of the flats in Shaheen Bagh which he and Junaid
visited and stayed after their escape. He was also taken to a flat in Jasola
where slain IM terrorist Atif Amin was staying before coming to Batla House.
Amin was the kingpin of the IM Delhi module. Sources claimed Shahzad had fired
at Inspector Sharma.
