DGP hints at action against cops if they implicated innocent men

Just days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over investigations in the 2006 Malegaon blasts case, DGP Ajit Parasnis hinted at possible action against officers of the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) if they were found to have implicated the wrong people during the initial investigation.

The Centre had before this asked the NIA to investigate the Samjhauta Express blast, in which dozens were killed near Panipat on February 19, 2007, as well as the Modassa bomb blast in Gujarat on September 29, 2008. After it was felt that most of the cases were interconnected and there was the possibility of saffron groups' involvement, the Centre appointed a single agency to investigate all these cases since these could be part of a larger conspiracy.

"The entire investigation has been taken over by National Investigation Agency," DGP Parasnis said. "Only after it submits its report can we comment on the initial inquiry."

The development had come as an embarrassment for not only the ATS but also the CBI. The ATS had filed a chargesheet naming 13 accused; the case was transferred to the CBI in December 2006. The ATS mentioned four people were absconding in the case, including one Pakistani. All the arrested were alleged to be associated with banned outfit SIMI and the terror group LeT. Parasnis was in the city to attend the silver jubilee ceremony of the women vigilance committee at the Centre for Police Research yesterday morning.

Minors' sexual abuse cases on rise
Concernedu00a0about the rising cases of sexual abuse of minor girls as well as the skewed sex ratio, DGP Ajit Parasnis appealed to members of women vigilance committees to create awareness to arrest these disturbing trends. Speaking at the silver jubilee ceremony of women vigilance committee at Centre for Police Research (CPR) yesterday morning, he said the committees should create awareness about this during their community meetings. When Vidya Bal, social activist and editor of Milun Saryajani, demanded a reception counter at police stations for common citizens, the DGP said Home Minister R R Patil had already approved the idea and it would soon be implemented in all police stations.