Grenade attack on BJP leader’s house: NIA takes over probe

After interrogating the three accused in the grenade attack on the residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia for two days, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the case from the Jalandhar police.

The blast had taken place in the wee hours on April 8.

Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur confirmed the development. “We have got the order regarding the NIA taking over the case. The process of the transfer of the case will start accordingly,” she said.

A team of the NIA has been questioning the three accused, including main executor Saidul Amin.

The two others held in the case are auto-rickshaw driver Satish Kumar Kaka and his cousin Harry.

All three of them have been in police custody till Sunday. Saidul, a 19-year-old welder and a native of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested from Delhi in a joint operation of the Delhi Police, Jalandhar police and the Central agencies on April 11. An NIA team had on Wednesday visited Kalia’s house to check the site of the blast. Earlier, the police had suspected the role of the Pakistan’s ISI in the incident.

On the transfer of the case, Kalia said, “It is between the state government and the Central agencies on how they handle the case. The NIA often has more information on previous blasts and handlers and they sometimes collate all information to unearth the conspiracy.”

Meanwhile, the security of the BJP leader has been beefed up. The Punjab Police have provided him with 10 gunmen in addition to the four already deployed with him. Even Central agencies have recommended a Y-plus security for him.

Punjab