New Delhi: Delhi Police had framed Sayed Liyaqat Shah, the man arrested in 2013 on terror charges, the National Investigation Agency has told the Union Home Ministry. Following its recommendations, the ministry is contemplating action against the Delhi Police officers involved, sources told NDTV.
Investigations by the NIA show Shah was returning from Pakistan via Nepal with his wife and daughter, under the surrender policy of the Indian government for surrendered militants. But officials of the Delhi Police deliberately planted weapons on him and arrested him, sources said.
Shah was arrested in 2013 near the Indo-Nepal border for allegedly planning terror attacks in Delhi on the eve of Holi. NDTV has earlier reported on the many unanswered questions over the arrest.
In a report submitted to a Delhi court, the NIA said Shah, who had crossed over to Pakistan in the early 1990s, was returning to India with his family to be part of the Jammu and Kashmir government's rehabilitation plan for former militants.
"Sayed Liaqat Shah did not come into India with the intention of carrying out an attack on vital installations in India," the report said. "The disclosure statements of Shah, recorded by Delhi police, do not stand as legally sustainable evidence, in respect of his association with any banned organisation."
The Delhi police had claimed that Shah was trying to sneak into India to carry out a terror attack. It had also claimed to have recovered weapons and ammunition from a guesthouse in old Delhi, allegedly on the basis of information gleaned from Mr Shah's interrogation.
But that cache, according to NIA officials, was reportedly planted by an informer of the Delhi Police's Special Cell.
The informer - Sabir Khan Pathan - was allegedly in constant touch with the special officers who arrested Shah, said the NIA.
The NIA has deduced, reportedly on the basis of Pathan's call records, that he was "directed by his associates located at Delhi to accomplish the task assigned to him during the operational period".
While Pathan is reportedly absconding, NIA officials say his call records indicate that he was in touch with the officers involved with the case, when they were reportedly on their way to 'recover' the cache from the guest house.
Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi told NDTV that he had not seen the report by the NIA yet.
But officials in the Home Ministry told NDTV that they have taken serious note of the investigation and were contemplating further action.
Investigations by the NIA show Shah was returning from Pakistan via Nepal with his wife and daughter, under the surrender policy of the Indian government for surrendered militants. But officials of the Delhi Police deliberately planted weapons on him and arrested him, sources said.
Shah was arrested in 2013 near the Indo-Nepal border for allegedly planning terror attacks in Delhi on the eve of Holi. NDTV has earlier reported on the many unanswered questions over the arrest.
"Sayed Liaqat Shah did not come into India with the intention of carrying out an attack on vital installations in India," the report said. "The disclosure statements of Shah, recorded by Delhi police, do not stand as legally sustainable evidence, in respect of his association with any banned organisation."
Advertisement
But that cache, according to NIA officials, was reportedly planted by an informer of the Delhi Police's Special Cell.
Advertisement
The NIA has deduced, reportedly on the basis of Pathan's call records, that he was "directed by his associates located at Delhi to accomplish the task assigned to him during the operational period".
Advertisement
Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi told NDTV that he had not seen the report by the NIA yet.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Minor Among 2 Detained For Duping Army Officer With Fake Currency Notes Argument Over Sharing Pizza Escalates In Delhi, Woman Gets Shot At Petrol Pump Manager Shot At In Alleged Robbery Attempt In Delhi: Cops MK Stalin Asks Centre To Recall Tamil Nadu Governor In Row Over Anthem Drone Footage Of Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar's Last Moments Released By Israel Tamil Nadu Police's Counter Petition In Supreme Court Against Sadhguru Harris, Trump Barnstorm Key State Michigan, Where Polls Say They're Tied 2 Brothers Found Dead Amid Rituals In Chhattisgarh: Cops Israel And Iran-Backed Foes Hamas And Hezbollah Vow More War Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.