How a tech error by NIA led to acquittal of Goa blast accused
05, Oct 2015
NEW DELHI: A technical error committed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its charge sheet against six members of Sanatan Sanstha in the Goa blast case considerably weakened their trial, HT has learnt.
“In order to file charges under the Explosive Substance Act of 1908, a sanction is required from the district magistrate. Rather than taking the mandatory sanction, the NIA took the sanction from Union home ministry, which the trial judge found legally inadequate,” said a Union home ministry official, requesting anonymity.
The NIA officials also confirmed that the agency took sanction only from the home ministry.
Ultimately, all six accused were acquitted by a special court on December 31, 2013. The NIA’s appeal against the court’s judgement is pending before the Goa bench of Bombay high court.
