Ajmer, Samjhauta blasts cases: Congress wants SC to monitor NIA probe

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The Congress was reacting to The Sunday Express story on 14 key witnesses turning hostile in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case since June 2014 and three turning hostile in the 2007 Samjhauta case allegedly involving Hindu extremists.

“There is nothing mysterious in witnesses turning hostile. It is happening solely at the instance, insistence and inducement of the powers that be at the Centre and the states. These instances and inducements are shocking to say the least, since the political masters at the helm of affairs choose to blatantly make witnesses who turn hostile ministers in their governments,” said Surjewala. He referred to the case of Randhir Singh, a witness who turned hostile in the Samjhauta case and is now a minister in Jharkhand.

“Probity, accountability, impartial and fair investigation — indeed the entire criminal justice system seems to have gone for a toss… One is astounded at the brazenness with which the NIA has been turned into a partisan, subservient and toothless body, parroting the line set by its political masters,” said Surjewala. He noted that almost all those who have turned hostile have deep links with the RSS.

“It is a prima facie case of subversion of investigation and therefore the judicial process,” he said. The Congress also demanded the sacking of Randhir Singh and restoration of Rohini Salian, as the special public prosecutor in Malegaon blasts case.