The Special Cell of Delhi Police told the Special NIA court Friday the Lieutenant Governor has appointed a special public prosecutor who is likely argue against the clean chit given by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to former Hizbul Mujahideen militant Liaquat Shah. Delhi Police had accused Shah of planning to carry out terror strikes in the national capital to avenge the hanging of Afzal Guru. The NIA, which gave Shah a clean chit in its chargesheet, had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), asking it to take disciplinary action against officers of the Special Cell. While the special court is yet to take cognizance of NIA’s cancellation report in the case, Delhi Police moved a plea before the court that they should also be heard before the NIA makes its submissions in support of its report. Sources told The Indian Express that the Special Cell told Special Judge Amar Nath that the special public prosecutor appointed by the Lt Governor would argue its case on August 1, the next date of hearing. [related-post] The submissions came in the backdrop of the Special Cell’s plea moved before the special court that since they were the first complainant in the case, hence they should be heard in person before consideration of the NIA’s cancellation report seeking discharge of Shah. In its report, the NIA had stated that the Special Cell was responsible for “fake arrest memo, fake site plan” and that the former militant was arrested “without sufficient cause”. The note submitted by the NIA to the MHA had also said that Delhi Police personnel were closely associated with the disappearance of the main accused Sabir Khan Pathan, who allegedly planted weapons and explosives at Haji Arafat guesthouse in Jama Masjid. Later, the Special Cell recovered the arms and claimed Shah was to execute a terror attack in the capital. Following this report, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said “appropriate action” would be taken against the police personnel concerned. The NIA took up the probe in the case after Jammu and Kashmir government disputed the police claims against Shah. WATCH INDIAN EXPRESS VIDEOS HERE
