Top officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who were probing recovery of `explosive’ from the State Assembly, finally lodged a `closure report’ in the court bringing an end to investigation that who planted the suspicious `powder’ and why the Forensic Science laboratory (FSl) in lucknow, claimed it to be deadly plastic explosive `PETN’.
Interestingly, the probe was closed without making any conclusion that who created `Mystery’ which just not put the entire law enforcing agencies on their toes but State government also reacted very strongly to breach of one of tightest security of State Assembly.
Sources said that the NIA officials, on basis of the findings of Central Forensic Science laboratory (CFSl) Hyderabad, that the recovered powder is not explosive but was a routine material used for polishing furniture, the NIA filed a closure report here at NIA designated court, closing the investigation. The report was said to be silent that how the power reached inside, whether there is any mischief to create panic within the government and lastly whether it was part of `criminal conspiracy’ or negligence of some employees of the Assembly that they abandoned the powder inside the House after polishing the furniture just before the start of the House for last Monsoon Session.
It may be mentioned that the explosive was found by the cleaning staff in State Assembly on July 12 last. The quantity of the explosive was 150 grams. The powder was sent for FSl lucknow for examination, and it was found to be a dangerous plastic explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate). The FSl (Forensic Science lab) report confirmed that the power was PETN, which is high quality Hexogene and plastic Explosive. PETN is one of the most dangerous plastic explosives available in the black market and preferred by militants as the colourless crystals easily surpass security checks. Soon after learning of the powder PETN, state government not just taken several measures for security of the State Assembly but chief minister also ordered a probe into the matter by National Investigation Agency (NIA). Initially, on basis of FSl Report, police registered a case with the Hazratganj police station. The FIR was lodged under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 121A (conspiring to wage war). The NIA after taking probe sent the powder to CFSl Hyderabad which finally confirmed it to be a non-explosive.