Shahzad case: Home ministry for police restraint in talking to media

What is the link between the Commonwealth Games and arrested Indian Mujaheedin operative Shahzad, allegedly involved in Delhi serial blasts?

This question stumped Delhi police top brass when a poser was received from the home ministry asking them to explain how

some newspapers were attributing a report to its senior officials that the arrested militant had talked about plans to target the Commonwealth Games during his interrogation.

Home ministry officials said they were surprised when Delhi police conveyed that it had never leaked any information to the media.

However, taking cognisance of frequent interrogation details of Shahzad appearing in the media, the ministry told Delhi police to direct its officers to "exercise restraint" while talking to the press.

Senior home ministry officials have strictly directed to check possible leakage of information regarding the suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorist who was arrested on February 1, official sources said.

The move was prompted by reports that have appeared in media claiming Shahzad's role in killing of inspector MC Sharma during Batla House incident, involvement of a former MLA in funding or supporting the terrorist for executing serial blasts and other claims said to have been made in police custody, they said.

Shahzad alias Pappu, an accused in the September 13, 2008 serial blasts which claimed 26 lives, was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Uttar Pradesh Police from Khalispur village of Azamgarh district and is currently in custody of Delhi police special cell for interrogation till February 12.

Acting on the direction of the MHA, Delhi police has asked concerned officers to avoid direct interaction with media about the interrogation details, the sources said.

Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat yesterday also issued an advisory asking the media to avoid publishing or broadcasting story on the blasts accused.

"This is to clarify that news reports appearing in some sections of the media referring to the disclosure of Shahzad alias Pappu, a suspect in the Batla House incident, have mentioned certain details of his disclosure and police investigations, which are not based on facts on record.

"Keeping in view the sensitive nature of the investigations, the Delhi police officers authorised to speak with the media have all along taken a stand that since the investigations are still in progress and the final report of investigation in the matter is to be submitted in the Court, it would not be appropriate to reveal details for media coverage or draw any conclusion till the investigation is completed," the letter said.

The letter said such unofficial or unconfirmed reports only create misinformation or confusion in the minds of general public and may also seriously impede the process of further investigation in the case.

"It is requested, in the light of the above, that any further press coverage pertaining to the role of any suspect in the Batla House incident should be based only on the official versions, as and when given by official and authorised sources from the Delhi Police," it said.