‘Killer powder’ being probed: Patil

The state government has asked chemical experts to inquire into the existence of the ‘killer powder’ mentioned in the seized audio tapes of conversations among members of Hindu extremist outfits.

The tapes had allegedly revealed that members of Abhinav Bharat,blamed for the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast,were planning to use a powder that could kill a person if placed in his footwear. They had also claimed that its unique property was that even forensic experts would not be able to trace the killer powder in post-mortem examination. NCP MLA Jitendra Avhad had told the Assembly that the Abhinav Bharat members were planning to kill Bhagwat. “We have asked chemical experts to find out whether such a chemical exists,” Home Minister RR Patil said on Friday. “If it does,we’ll need to take counter measures.”

He pointed out that the Abhinav Bharat members had already been arrested in connection with the Malegaon blast case. He said he had not endorsed Avhad’s claim that the accused had plotted to kill Bhagwat,but had only said that they were discussing the use of the powder and,while talking about Bhagwat,were showing disrespect to him.