NEW DELHI: Indian Minority affairs minister A R Antulay demanding a probe into the shooting of Mumbai ATS A R Antulay reacts while interacting with media outside Parliament House in New Delhi.
Chief Hemant Karkare in the 26/11 terror strikes which he linked to investigations into the alleged involvement of Hindu radicals in the Malegaon blast case. Stating that the circumstances of Karkare's shooting "may be inquired into".
Antulay told the media outside Parliament's that "there must have been some reason why Karkare went to Cama hospital instead of Taj and Oberoi hotels."
Antulay said "someone" could have told Karkare and other officers with him to go to Cama hospital, suggesting that the ATS chief fell victim to a set-up as he was probing cases which involved Hindu radicals in the Malegaon case.
Reacting to the controversy, BJP condemned Antulay's statement and said the minister was as good as playing ISI's attorney and demanded his sacking.
Antulay has been fulminating since Tuesday evening when the Cabinet cleared the bills for a National Investigation Agency and amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He expressed apprehension that tougher anti-terror laws could well be misused, hinting that minorities were in the line of fire.
On Wednesday afternoon, Antulay added to this script, telling TV cameras that apart from terrorism, the laws should also emcompass communal riots. "Those who riot are also terrorists," he claimed, seeking to provide what he felt was a sense of "equivalence" to the government's actions. But soon after, perhaps dissatisfied by his efforts, Antulay reappeared to claim he suspected foul play in the shooting of Karkare.
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