Bangalore, November 29: The National Investigating Agency is expected to take over the investigation of the bizarre case of 15 Muslim youths, who were arrested by Karnataka police in August on terror charges.
“The Union government directed the State government to hand over the case to the NIA a month ago through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The formalities of handing over the case are nearing completion and in all probability the NIA will take over the case from CCB in another 10 days,” a senior police officer handling the case said.
The NIA officials, who have also been simultaneously interrogating the arrested youth, will continue the probe in Bangalore.?They might take them to different locations, including Delhi, for further probe if needed.
“The CCB team will continue to be part of the investigation, along with the NIA,” Joint Commissioner of Police (East division crime) Dayananda said. It is not yet known if the NIA branch officers in Karnataka will head the probe or officers from Delhi will be assigned the responsibility.
Advocates for the arrested youth revealed that the Bangalore police did not have enough grounds for the arrests. The police acted hurriedly and were finding it difficult to prove their point, they said.
“We can't disclose the latest status of the investigation as it is a sensitive matter. The police can't comment on speculations. Those handling the case know the story very well. The police are working on some definite information,” Dayananda said.
When asked whether the police were confident of proving the case, he said: “We will definitely place before the court all evidences we have obtained so far.?It is up to the court to decide.”
“It has inter-state, national and security ramifications. The situation is too sensitive. Considering these points, the Central government has directed the NIA to take over. The Central government's decision itself means so much and justifies the police stand,” said Dayananda.
Meanwhile, the Interpol has issued a red corner notice to arrest three more youth- Usman Gani, Abdul Mazid and Shahid Faizal, all from Hubli, who are believed to be in Saudi Arabia.
Police teams of nearly 10 states have interrogated the youth in Bangalore, besides the?NIA. Currently, they have been kept in the high security cell in the Central Prisons, Parappana Agrahara.
The police arrested 11 of them on August 29 and four others a few days later. The police have six months' time to file the charge sheet and are hoping to do so by February next year. 
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