NIA takes over case of natural uranium recovery in Mumbai
New Delhi, May 10
Following the order of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), NIA has re-registered the case of the seizure of natural uranium.
The MHA had passed an order on May 8 to NIA to take over the investigations of the case originally registered at Mumbai Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) on May 5 under section 24(1)(a) of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
The NIA officials stated that the case relates to the seizure of 7.1 kgs of ‘Natural Uranium’ having value of about Rs 21.30 crores from illegal possession of accused persons Jigar Jayesh Pandya and Abu Tahir Afzal Choudhary.
Arjun Panda, regional director (Central Region) of Atomic Minerals Directorate of Exploration and Research at Nagpur had lodged the FIR with police.
The officials added that in pursuant to registeration of the case, requisite actions as per law for expeditious investigation of case have been initiated.
According to the officials, The ATS had collected the uranium like-substance from Pandya and sent it for scientific analysis to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Trombay.
The officials added that the BARC report stated that the substance is natural uranium, highly radioactive and dangerous to human life. Uranium is used in cancer treatment as well as for aeronautical purposes.
As per the case details, the ATS sent a dummy customer who bought some of the substance for over Rs. one lakh and it was sent for scientific analysis.
The officials added that Pandya had reportedly confessed to his crime and told police that he was given the uranium by Choudhary.
Thr NIA will begin fresh investigation in this case.
