The proposal to hand over the probe to NIA has been signed by the Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, State Director General of Police (DGP) P C Thakur told reporters in a press conference here today.
"In the proposal, sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, we have requested the Centre to hand over the probe to NIA. As per the NIA Act, investigations are handed over to the national agency whenever the local police finds international linkages of local terror modules and perpetrators need to be brought to India," said Thakur.
After taking over the probe and arresting nine persons from different parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) claimed that the contract for killing the BJP leaders was allegedly given by absconding 1993 Mumbai serial blasts accused Javed Dawood Patel, also known as Javed Chikna, apparently to avenge riots in Mumbai during 1993 and in Gujarat during 2002.
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Apart from Javed, ATS also learned about the active role played by his brother Aabid Patel, who became a British citizen few years back, said Superintendent of Police with ATS Himanshu Shukla.
According to Shukla, the killings falls into the
category of 'Act of Terror', and it might be having links with other terror modules in and out side India.
Since the murders are an act of terror and perpetrators are having international links, we have recommended NIA probe, which is better equipped to deal with such cases," said Shukla.
Till now, the ATS has nabbed nine persons involved in the case including two sharp shooters. ATS have also recovered five pistols, 32 cartridges, two cars, two bikes and Rs 80,000 from the arrested accused, added Shukla.